Friday, December 16, 2011

Minimum Wire AWG?


Mike,
 Maybe you can answer a questions. I remember somewhere in NEC that the minimum wire gauge for initiating devices is 16AWG and notification 14AWG.  Am I right. Can’t find it.

NEC 2008:
760.130
Wiring Methods and Materials on load side of Power Limited Fire Alarm Power Source:
shall be permitted to be installed using methods and materials in accordance with 760.130(A), 760.130(B) or Both
(A) in accordance with 760.46 -solid or stranded Copper
760.130 (A) exception 2 allows them to be installed as per 760.49 and 760.53
760.49(A) only Cu conductors 18AWG and 16 AWG are permitted: PROVIDING they do not exceed the load ampacities of 402.5
402.5 allowable ampacities are: 6A for 18AWG, 8A for 16AWG, 17A for 14AWG and 23 A for 12
 AWG
and are in a raceway, approved enclosure or listed cable/assembly.

760.53 adresses multiconductor NON-power limited cables (ie those that can carry 120V A/C-like NYC Fire Circuits)
760.130(B): as described in 760.179 (ie FPL, FPLR, and FPLP)
760.179(A) solid or stranded Cu
760.179 (B) size in a multiconductor cable /assembly: no smaller than 26AWG; single conductor: no smaller than 18AWG
No where is there a minimum AWG for initiating /notification devices mentioned in NEC 
Maybe in NYS Fire Code?
Checked that----nope!

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