What is the primary risk of using undersized wiring?

The primary risk of using undersized wiring is overheating and potential fire hazards. When wiring is undersized, it cannot handle the amount of current flowing through it efficiently. This causes the wires to heat up more than appropriately sized wires would under the same load. If the temperature exceeds the wire's rated capacity, the insulation can degrade, leading to exposure of the conductive material. Over time, this increases the risk of electrical shorts or arcing, which can ignite surrounding materials and cause fires.

Properly sized wiring is essential to ensure electrical systems operate safely, minimizing the risk of overheating, which can lead to property damage and jeopardizing lives. Thus, using adequately sized wiring is a critical component of safe electrical installation practices.