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(D) Small Conductors

National Electrical Code 2020 of Illinois > 2 Wiring and Protection > 240 Overcurrent Protection > 240.4 Protection of Conductors > (D) Small Conductors

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Unless specifically permitted in 240.4(E) or (G), the overcurrent protection shall not exceed that required by (D)(1) through (D)(7) after any correction factors for ambient temperature and number of conductors have been applied.

(1) 18 AWG Copper

7 amperes, provided all the following conditions are met:

Continuous loads do not exceed 5.6 amperes.
Overcurrent protection is provided by one of the following:
1. Branch-circuit-rated circuit breakers listed and marked for use with 18 AWG copper wire
2. Branch-circuit-rated fuses listed and marked for use with 18 AWG copper wire
3. Class CC, Class J, or Class T fuses

(2) 16 AWG Copper

10 amperes, provided all the following conditions are met:

Continuous loads do not exceed 8 amperes.
Overcurrent protection is provided by one of the following:
1. Branch-circuit-rated circuit breakers listed and marked for use with 16 AWG copper wire
2. Branch-circuit-rated fuses listed and marked for use with 16 AWG copper wire
3. Class CC, Class J, or Class T fuses

(3) 14 AWG Copper

15 amperes

(4) 12 AWG Aluminum and Copper-Clad Aluminum

15 amperes

(5) 12 AWG Copper

20 amperes

(6) 10 AWG Aluminum and Copper-Clad Aluminum

25 amperes

(7) 10 AWG Copper

30 amperes

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