Branch Circuits & FeedersQuestion 7 of 120
A 120-volt branch circuit must carry 12 amperes 120 feet with voltage drop held to 3 percent. Using K = 12.9 for copper, what is the smallest conductor that meets the target?
a.8 AWG
b.14 AWG
c.12 AWG
d.10 AWG
Explanation
Three percent of 120 volts is 3.6 volts, so the required area is CM = (2 x 12.9 x 12 x 120) / 3.6 = 37,152 / 3.6 = 10,320 circular mils. From Chapter 9, Table 8, 12 AWG has only 6,530 circular mils and fails, while 10 AWG has 10,380 circular mils and just satisfies the requirement. 8 AWG works electrically but is larger than the minimum asked for, and 14 AWG is far too small.
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