f

You are here

210.23(A)(1)(2), 210.24, 240.4(D)(3), 310.3(A)(B) and 406.3(C)(D) 10 Amp Branch Circuits

Revision/New

Leviton Comment: Articles 210.23(A)(1)(2), 210.24, 240.4(D)(3), 310.3(A)&(B) and 406.3 (summarized here) have been revised to include accommodations for 10 amp circuits and associated electrical apparatus. The intent of the original submittal seemed to be to enable the installer to realize cost savings through the use of copper-clad aluminum wire on certain circuits (primarily lighting and definitely not receptacles) with limitations.

However, the NEC did NOT approve the use of 16 AWG copper or 14 AWG copper-clad aluminum in Article 310.3(A) or the associated wire sizing table found at 210.24(2). Without the ability to use a smaller gauge copper wire, or the same size copper-clad aluminum wire, no real savings can be realized. Maybe the 2026 NEC will ease the limitation and further acknowledge copper-clad aluminum and thus opening-up its use to installers.

There are additional places in the 2023 NEC where 10 Amp circuits and aluminum wire are added, however due to space limitations in this guide we only cover these. We think that this is adequate to convey the intent.

Change Summary

  • The NEC is introducing text to recognize 10 Amp circuits with limitations.

NEC®Text

Article 210 Branch Circuits Not Over 1000 Volts ac, 1500 Volts dc, Nominal
210.23 Permissible Loads, Multiple-Outlet Branch Circuits. In no case shall the load exceed the branch-circuit ampere rating. A branch circuit supplying two or more outlets or receptacles shall supply only the loads specified according to its size in accordance with 210.23(A) through (E) and as summarized in 210.24.
(A) 10-Ampere Branch Circuits. A 10-ampere branch circuit shall comply with the requirements of 210.23(A)(1) and (A)(2).
(1) Loads Permitted for 10-Ampere Branch Circuits. A 10-ampere branch circuit shall be permitted to supply one or more of the following:
(1) Lighting outlets
(2) Dwelling unit exhaust fans on bathroom or laundry room lighting circuits
(3) A gas fireplace unit supplied by an individual branch circuit
(2) Loads Not Permitted for 10-Ampere Branch Circuits.
A 10-ampere branch circuit shall not supply any of the following:
(1) Receptacle outlets
(2) Fixed appliances, except as permitted for individual branch circuits
(3) Garage door openers
(4) Laundry equipment
 

210.24 Branch-Circuit Requirements — Summary.
The requirements for circuits that have two or more outlets or receptacles, other than the receptacle circuits of 210.11(C) (1), (C)(2), and (C)(3), are summarized in Table 210.24(1) for copper conductors and Table 210.24(2) for aluminum and copper-clad aluminum conductors. Table 210.24(1) and Table 210.24(2) provide only a summary of minimum requirements. See 210.19, 210.20, and 210.21 for the specific requirements applying to branch circuits.

Article 240 Overcurrent Protection
240.4 Protection of Conductors.
(D) Small Conductors. Unless specifically permitted in 240.4(E) or (G), the overcurrent protection shall not exceed that required by 240.4(D)(1) through (D)(8) after any correction factors for ambient temperature and number of conductors have been applied.
(3) 14 AWG Copper-Clad Aluminum. 10 amperes, provided all the following conditions are met:
(1) Continuous loads do not exceed 8 amperes
(2) Overcurrent protection is provided by one of the following:
a. Branch-circuit-rated circuit breakers are listed and marked for use with 14 AWG copper-clad aluminum conductor.
b. Branch-circuit-rated fuses are listed and marked for use with 14 AWG copper-clad aluminum conductor.

Article 310 Conductors for General Wiring
310.3 Conductors.
(A) Minimum Size of Conductors. The minimum size of conductors for voltage ratings up to and including 2000 volts shall be 14 AWG copper, 12 AWG copper-clad aluminum, or 12 AWG aluminum, except as permitted elsewhere in this Code.
(B) Conductor Material. Conductors in this article shall be of copper, aluminum, or copper-clad aluminum, unless otherwise specified. Aluminum and copper-clad aluminum shall comply with the following; (see NEC text)

Article 406 Receptacles, Cord Connectors, and Attachment Plugs (Caps)
406.3 Receptacle Rating and Type.

Leviton Note: See 406.3 later in this guide for complete text

Material taken from the National Electric Code. is reprinted with permission from NFPA 70., 2023 edition. National Electrical Code®, Copyright 2022, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA. All rights reserved.

Expert Analysis

A new subsection has been added to address the

Figure 1

requirements for loads permitted and not permitted for 10-ampere branch circuits. The application of adopted Energy Code(s) and energy efficiencies in general are bringing forward the possible applications of 10-ampere branch circuits for loads such as LED lighting and specific equipment that are identified.

A new chart was added at 210.24(2) that identifies appropriate aluminum and copper clad aluminum wire sizing for specific circuit sizes.

Browse by Application