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I have # 14 bx wire for 2 lights only circuits serving the upstairs floor, approximately 670 sq, ft of my (renovated in fits and starts over the last 4 years) home in brooklyn. The problem, as you may already be aware, is that 2 yrs ago, #12 became the minimum that may be used for any circuit, lights only or no. I have a different electrician than I started with on the top floor and in order to sign off on all of the work he wants me to take out the 14, which would be a nightmare. My suggestion to him was that we use a 10amp breaker on each circuit, which would not only help lessen the voltage drop but would also not allow the wire to get anywhere near overloaded ( in addition, there are no receptcacles on either of these circuits. These are circuits serving not more than 4 overhead fixtures each, so again there is little if any chance that the circuit would be overloaded). This guy wants all 20 amp breakers and #12 wire, no ifs ands or buts. I was actually wanting to use 15 amp breakers for all the receptacles with #12 wire on the top floor to deal with the potential voltage drop.
My question is, we know what the code is with respect to using too small a wire with too large a breaker, why can’t I keep my #14 wire and use a 10 amp breaker ( even though 14 is rated for max15amps)? Does it have to be this black and white?
Thanks for any help you can give me.