All About 12 Gauge vs 14 Gauge Wire Applications
12 vs. 14 Gauge Wire Compared
12 AWG and 14 AWG are the most popular cable sizes in residential buildings in the United States, but there is often confusion on which ones are best to use. Let's compare 12 and 14-gauge wires based on the most essential factors.
Thickness
12-gauge wire is usually 2.05 mm thick, while 14-gauge wire has the thickness of 1.63 mm. In the non-metric system, the diameter is 0.0808 inches for 12-gauge wire and 0.0641 inches for 12-gauge wire. 12 AWG is a thicker wire.
Current carrying capacity
Copper 12-gauge wire is safe for circuits carrying up to 20 amps (including breakers and outlets), while 14-gauge wire is used in circuits carrying up to 15 amps (including breakers and outlets). This explains the popularity of these two cables, as both these types of circuits are very popular in households.
Resistance and voltage drop
14 AWG wire has higher resistance and will experience more voltage drop over long distances, which can cause concerns if the wire runs far from the power source. 12 AWG is more suited for longer runs, and will generally experience less resistance and voltage drop.
Applications
Common applications of 12 gauge wire inside the house are:
- Kitchen circuits
- Dining room circuits
- Bathroom circuits
- Outdoor circuits
- Larger home appliances
- HVAC units
- Dedicated circuits for small appliances, including dishwashers, standard refrigerators, washing machines, and mini-stoves.
- Any applications where the run from the panel is longer
12-gauge cables are more common in the areas of the house where there are more appliances and dedicated circuits for these appliances. 12 AWG wires are a safer bet for most home applications and not overkill, given that 20 Amp circuits and 20 Amp breakers are now more popular. You may use 12 AWG cables instead of 14 AWG ones on 15-amp outlets and breakers if your goal is to minimize voltage drop.
Now, let's look into 14 AWG applications in your house. Common applications of 14 gauge wire inside the house are:
- Lighting circuits
- Controlling light fixtures
- Lamps
- Standard room 15-amp outlets (bedrooms, living rooms)
- Home automation control circuits
If the runs are short and there is no significant voltage drop expected, 14 AWG cables work well for all those applications.
Flexibility
12 gauge wire is stiffer compared to more flexible 14 AWG wire.
Price
14 AWG cables are cheaper compared to 12 AWG.
Common 12 vs 14 AWG cables for residential applications
Regardless of whether you go for 12 or 14 gauge, the most common cables for residential applications in both of these sizes are:
- NM-B Romex for indoor circuits
- UF-B wire for outdoor circuits
- THHN/THWN in conduit
For more detailed information on 12 awg and 14 awg cables, as well as types of cables used for different circuits, read:
