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In residential wiring, the selection of an appropriate wire gauge is crucial for ensuring safety and compliance with electrical codes. Generally, wire gauges that are too small cannot handle the electrical load without overheating, which poses a significant fire hazard.

Wire gauge is measured using the American Wire Gauge (AWG) standard, where a smaller number indicates a thicker wire that can carry more current. For residential lighting circuits, commonly used wire gauges are 12 and 14. The 12-gauge wire is suitable for lighting circuits with higher amperage, typically for circuits rated at 20 amps. The 14-gauge wire is commonly used for circuits rated at 15 amps.

The 10-gauge wire is often used for heavier loads or circuits requiring more amperage (for example, larger appliances) but still is somewhat acceptable in certain residential applications. Conversely, the 20-gauge wire is far too thin for typical residential circuits, especially lighting, as it cannot safely carry the required load without risking overheating.

The 16-gauge wire is generally not suitable for residential lighting circuits due to its limited capacity to carry current safely. It is primarily used for low-power applications or in telecommunications and audio cables.

By recognizing that 16-gauge wire is not designed for