Can I run a 14 gauge wire off a 12 gauge wire to connect light fixture?

Question

Can I run a 14 gauge electrical wire off a 12 gauge electrical wire at an electrical outlet?

I have an electrical outlet for my fridge that's sits next to my back door and I want to install a porch light as this old house doesn't have a porch light and I want one.

The problem is the electrical outlet has 12 gauge wire and I want to use 14 gauge wire for the light fixture since it's cheaper?

Will it be a problem to pigtail 14 gauge electrical wire off a 12 gauge electrical wire for the light fixture?

Answer 1

14 AWG will work just fine for your porch light and yes you can attach 14 gauge wire to the 12 gauge with no problem.

If you have 2 unused parts of the electrical outlet you can attach the 14 gauge wire to the outlet itself without attaching the 14 awg wire to the 12 awg wire directly but you can attach the wire to the 12 gauge wire using wire nuts.

If you use wire nuts I recommend twisting the wires together with pliers before putting on the wire nuts. If you twist the wires together before hand you won't have the wires coming lose.