10-Ampere Branch Circuits for (LED) Lighting

Specific Inspection Topics Electrical Inspections
1

Now we can do 10,15,20,30,40 and 50 amps.

Just ran into this, and sharing. LED lighting loads are so much lower than prior code, guess we can use less wire:

2023 NEC 210.23 Permissible Loads, Multiple-Outlet Branch Circuits
(A)(1) Loads Permitted for 10-Ampere Branch Circuits

  • Lighting outlets
  • Dwelling unit exhaust fans on bathroom or laundry room lighting circuits
  • A gas fireplace unit supplied by an individual branch circuit

(A)(2) Loads Not Permitted for 10-Ampere Branch Circuits. A 10-ampere branch circuit shall not supply any of the following:

  • Receptacle outlets
  • Fixed appliances, except as permitted for individual branch circuits
  • Garage door openers
  • Laundry equipment

(It’s not useful yet, but watch for in a future pre-drywall inspection).

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2

The video link ended abruptly and apparently short. Can you share a link to his channel?

Edit: I found it.

3

I’m not sure why this is in the NEC. For a 10 amp circuit you would need #14 Copper or #12 aluminum or copper-clad aluminum all of which are good for 15 amps so why use a 10 amp circuit?

4

It gives people a warm feeling that they are saving the planet.

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5

I could see it being useful if the NEC allowed say #16 AWG copper cables for the 10 amp circuits but as of yet they do not. So I run a 15 amp conductor and then decide to use a 10 amp OCPD? Doesn’t make much sense unless I’m overlooking something.

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6

I am not against improving energy efficiency. But before the change to LED, wouldn’t a 10-amp circuit cover most residential lighting circuits?

7

The video indicated that all the “hooks” weren’t in place for this to be a useful change at this time. Limited availability of 10 amp breakers, 16 gauge wire, etc. Future implementation is of course supposed to save money and green the planet, etc.

8

Back in the day when down lights used 150 W R40 or PAR38 lamps we would often run 20 amp lighting circuits just to use less circuits. Now with LED’s everything has changed. In a commercial office space you might light an entire floor with 3 or 4 circuits.

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9

I was told this is for copper-clad aluminum circuits. It will not mean smaller copper conductors.

10

The issue would be that receptacles and lighting are typically mixed and it would be easier to overload smaller circuits.

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11

If you don’t need the capacity, the smaller the breaker the more protective it is (as long as it’s not too small).

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12

The NEC has allowed 14 AWG copper clad aluminum alloy conductors for 10 ampere lighting circuits in '23 edition.

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