I have a single closet light that I need to extend about 3 feet. I've already bought the junction boxes, wire nuts, and wire retaining pins.However, I bought 14/2 wire, and I've noticed the wire I plan to extend says 12/2 on it. Is this a problem? Should I return it and get 12/2 so it matches exactly, or will it work okay? What's the difference anyway?Thanks
The color of the cable is not important,but i would never mix different size wires.Your breaker is set to protect 12-2 and not 14-2.Will you ever have trouble doing it,may be not but it is a poor habit to get into.
For a fixed load and less than 6 feet it would meet NEC in the past. I'm not certain about the current code. As to would it be OK the 14/2 wire is rated for 15 amps and unless a short develops in it I would not hesitate to do that in my home.
In general this is not allowed under the NEC in the US. Any light in a closet must be at least 24 away from all clothing hangers and shelves. if the 14-2/WG is less than 6 feet in length, then a special condition for a fixed load will permit this in some cases. The best solution is to have a qualified professional electrician do the work according to the local codes. These may prohibit the fixed load exemption.
If it's a 15 amp circuit, then there's no problem. If it's a 20 amp circuit then you really ought to use 12 gauge wire. The job of the circuit breaker (or fuse) is to protect the wiring. If you use a thinner wire, then the circuit breaker/fuse won't be able to protect it. Now as a practical matter, the closet light is never going to be drawing that many amps. It would only ever be an issue if, someday, someone wanted to extend the circuit from the closet light.
Electrical wire comes in different gauges, the lower the number the heavier the gauge. The lower the number the more amperage the wire can deliver safely. For instance if you wire up something that requires a 12 gauge and use 14 gauge you could over heat the wire and cause a fire. However extending 3 feet of 14 gauge from a juction box that has a 12 gauge input would be safe for a closet light. 14/2 on the wire means that there is 2 wires ( one black and one white at gauge 14 ) it will also have a copper ground wire.
