I am adding a new electrical outlet and need to know how many volts the electrical wire needs to be rated for. I will be running the new outlet from an existing outlet This existing outlet uses a wire that reads Type NM-B WITN Ground 600 Volts. Does this mean the wire from the existing outlet to new outlet also has to be 600 Volts? I have a 120 Volt laying around but it doesn't sound like I should use that one. Am I right? Thanks!
600 volts is the rating on the wire, a typical outlet uses 110 to 120 volts -
14 gauge is the correct wire for all lighting and standard outlets. Use 15 amp breakers for this wire. #12 gauge wire is for 20amp service. It is larger in size than 14 gauge. More commonly used for microwave outlets and fridge outlets. It all dependa on what you are adding the outlet for. Things to remember. By code (differs in areas) you cannot just add another outlet to an existing outlet unless you know exactly what else is on the same line. A maximum of 11 items on any single run. (Duplex outlets count as one each, lights count as one per bulb). If you are not sure whats what, I would suggest you find out BEFORE you add it so you don't end up burning down your house. If you want to do it anyway, you CAN join the two sizes (in a proper junction box). Good Luck.Be Safe
The wire installed is good for a MAXIMUM 600 Volts. Normal house wire is 14 AWG or lower (12) Solid Copper. If you use STRANDED wire use 1 number smaller for short distances.
Use #12 wire. Most outlets in a home are wired to a 20 amp breaker and this is the correct wire size. 14 gauge wire is used for lighting circuits.
The thing you need to know is how much load , that is the amount of amps on the new outlet are going to be using that is the way you figure the wire size you can`t have a overloaded circuit. As for the 600 volts on the wire that is what the wire is for. most 120 outlets or wired with #14 or#12 wire depend on amp load, the voltage should be 120 volts.
