In a home office, what wire gauge is suggested for use in branch circuits?

In a home office setting, the recommended wire gauge for branch circuits is 12 AWG. This gauge strikes a balance between safety and performance for typical applications in a residential environment, such as powering computers, printers, and other electronic devices commonly found in a home office.

Using 12 AWG wire allows for a maximum load of 20 amps, which is sufficient for most home office equipment. This gauge also minimizes voltage drop over longer distances, ensuring that devices receive adequate power for optimal performance. Furthermore, it complies with the National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements for branch circuits, ensuring that circuits can handle the expected load without risk of overheating or failure.

Wiring in a home office must be designed to handle the potential power demands, so 12 AWG is the appropriate choice; it's thick enough to support necessary amperage while remaining flexible for routing in walls and ceilings.