Prepare for your Home Inspection Electrical Test with our comprehensive study guide. Equip yourself with flashcards, multiple-choice questions, and detailed explanations. Be ready to excel on your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


What size breaker should a 14 AWG copper wire be connected to?

  1. 15 amp

  2. 20 amp

  3. 30 amp

  4. 10 amp

The correct answer is: 15 amp

A 14 AWG copper wire is typically rated for a maximum of 15 amps, making a 15 amp breaker the appropriate choice for this wire size. This rating is based on the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) guidelines and the National Electrical Code (NEC) standards, which establish safe practices for electrical installations to prevent overheating and potential fire hazards. Using a breaker rated higher than 15 amps, such as a 20 amp or a 30 amp breaker, could lead to serious safety risks because the wire may not be able to handle that much current without overheating. The 10 amp breaker would also be underutilizing the capacity of the wire, although it is safer than a higher-rated breaker. Ensuring that the breaker matches the wire gauge is crucial for both performance and safety in electrical systems.