From: myjak@titan.ksc.nasa.gov (Michael D. Myjak)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: 12 gauge vs 14 gauge wiring price
Date: 31 Aug 92 09:34:54 EST
Organization: NASA, Kennedy Space Center

> chrisb@cs.cornell.edu (Chris Buckley) writes:
> 
>> Anybody have a rough ballpark figure for the cost of building a
>> new house with 12 gauge wiring instead of 14-gauge?
>> 
>> We're having a 4 bedroom, 2400 sq ft house built in central NJ,
>> and the price the builder has quoted us is $2100.  This is a
>> lot higher than I expected, even considering that this is
>> tract housing.  (In general, options seem to cost about 20% more
>> than they would in a custom house)

Then, Gary Heston (gary@cdthq.UUCP) writes:

> If you have a builder that was planning to run 14 gauge wire to 
> outlets, get another builder. At the very least, make him show you
> an itemized breakdown of the cost difference. It should only vary
> on the material price; there's no difference in labor for using 
> 12 in place of 14.

1st piece of advice is to pick up a copy of the Electrical FAQ either
here or in Rec.Woodworking. It probably is a bit beyond what you need
to know, but there is a lot of good informnation there and you can use
it as a reference in the future.

2nd piece of advice is that changing from 14 gauge to 12 gauge isn't
going to change the reliability of power to your computers... as they
only draw a scant qne or two amps each. (BTW Gary, its my
understanding that the Southern Building Code has adopted the 14-gauge
wire change. I don't know about N.J., but if its happened here, its
probably heppened else where.)

Now, that being said, I still think that you have a good justification
for going with 12 gauge wire from the get-go... As others have pointed
out, 14-gauge wire will have more of a voltage drop in long distance
runs.. and the wall box cu.in size will be smaller. However, the main
drawback (IMHO) is still missing here as a 14-gauge system is only
allowed a 15-amp circuit breaker. On other words, the lighter 14-gauge
wire is not capable of carring 20-amps of current. 

Whats the cost difference? minimal. a 250' box of 12/2 Romex runs
about $28 from Home Depot... and probably as much or less from an
electrical supply house. 14/2 runs $25. Circuit breakers and boxes are
also pennies and dimes more. So the total cost difference really
depends on your system, the number if circuits, and the length of wire
necessary.  As a for instance, I just got through building a 3000sq.ft
house and my total electrical bill came in around $9,500... and I
added the additional outlets in the garage and shop areas my self, as
well as all telephone, TV and a custome home theater pre-wire. I used
about 3 miles of 12/2 romex, for $1,792 (vs $1,600 for 14/2) so the
total difference in wire was only about $200. Me-thinks your
contractor is making a killing on change orders...

Ok, so your contractor (and building codes) down grade the wire, the
box-size, and the circuit breakers... Now guess what happens when you
try to connect up that brand new 3hp air compresser you just bought?

"Hey Joe, hit the switch!" puff-puff <trip> "duh, what happened?"

Pretty soon you figure out that that motor needs more then 15 amps to
start and run under load. So, how does he fix this? Usually, Joe
Homeowner goes out and buys a new 20-amp circuit breaker and replaces
the 15-amp version in the panel. Any idea just how dangerous thgis
is?!?  14-gauge wire will get hot when attempting to carry a 20 amp
load... so hot that it can cause a fire... especially if the boxes are
undersized as well. So to me, thats where the danger lies.

I'd say, find yourself another contractor... or at least get him to
justify his price hike. Also, get your self educated... take a copy of
your plans to a (couple of) qualified electrician(s) and get him
(them) to bid the job both ways.  Find out exactly how much they
charge, exactly what is and is not included, (make sure they all bid
it the same way) and then find out what they charge for 14-gauge vs
12-gauge installations.

Thus armed, you will know whether your getting stiffed (me thinks so)
and by how much.

-- 
- Michael D. Myjak			
  Senior Technical Specialist, Systems Analyst
  McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Company - KSC
  MYJAK@TITAN.KSC.NASA.GOV

Fea'ture N.  Distinction; Characteristic; Perculiarity (!)
             A bug with documentation.