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How about clarifying what exactly you're trying to do.
Are you adding a circuit and wanting to use awg14? (as O.R. said, I wouldn't)
Or is it an existing circuit that you want to add a recepticle too?
Determining load on a circuit depends on many things. And NEC is not the easiest thing to understand or comprehend.
Yeah, there's no explicit limit for residential in the NEC, but there are other aspects that need to be considered. Location, intended use, and load factors are a few off the top of my head.
So without additional details, I can't vouch for a firm answer to the question.
The point is from a practical matter 14-2 has an "ampacity" of only 15 amps (12-2 is 20) and each recepticle of the ordinary 115V type is good for up to 15 amps. So the whole circuit is close to maxed out if you put one 1850W heater on it.
If the outlets are intended primarily for computers, cell phone chargers, and other "flea" loads, you could put 10 or 12 recepticles on it.
Offhand I wouldn't go more than 6. But of it really depends on the loads you want to use, and how many of the outlets would normally be in use, and for what.
14 is easy to use and I'll use it when working in a tight spot, for a lighting fixture, other light-duty applications - but in general I am with Omaha - I'll take the trouble to run 12-gauge (or even 10-gauge) for heavy duty applications.
I overbuild stuff all the time, and have yet to regret it.
The point is from a practical matter 14-2 has an "ampacity" of only 15 amps auge)
Ampacity of #14 is 25A (except for TW, UF, XHHW and similar insulations it is 20A), although cb terminal ratings will drop it to 20A; code requires it to be fused @ 15A in a dwelling.
#12 is 30A, with similar restrictions dropping it to 25A, and OCP @ 20A in a dwelling.
of course derating factors are still applicable.
and for those stuck on #12 in residential, break out your ammeter and take measurements around your house. I have #14 throughout my home, except where #12 is required, and have yet to face an overload scenario. i've had a couple of AFCI trips and that's it.
with modern efficiency standards, loads are getting lighter and lighter.
... with modern efficiency standards, loads are getting lighter and lighter.
On the corollary, folks have more things that require plugging in too, so while individually the power consumption has dropped, the total might not.
Add to the fact that power sells ... more wattage in your home theater, more wattage in your blender, more wattage in your vacuum cleaner ... those are still good reasons to go "overkill" with 12/2.
You need to use one of the electrical handbooks that has the tables that show wire sizes/classifications and the ampacity depending upon circumstances, such as single wires or three-wires in cable, etc. Little pocket handbooks are available almost any electrical supply house, box store, or hardware store, or you can buy a larger handbook covering many trades such as "pocket ref" which has the tables in it.
and the tables will also give you the maximum recommended wire runs to deliver the power.
I've seen a lot of houses wired with 14 ga wire on 15 amp circuit breakers that have had no difficulties with typical room lighting, accessory lighting, and small electrical consumers such as computers, radios, clocks, and so forth. Of course, if you're wiring a kitchen with heavy electrical consumers and the liklihood of multiple items going at once ... dishwasher, disposal, toaster, coffeemaker, etc. ... then you need to evaluate the anticpated electrical loads and wire appropriate circuits and breakers for those loads.
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