Q: I have two identical pieces of equipment connected to a panel. One uses #12 wire and the other uses #10 wire. Why are they different?

A: Design Master Electrical has an option to automatically upsize branch circuit wires from #12 wire to #10 if they exceed a certain length. The default value is 75′, but you can change that.

To change the length, use the Options command.

Ribbon: DME: Customization->Project Customization->  Options

Pulldown Menu: DM Electrical->Customization->Options->Edit Project List

In the Circuits, Load Types, and Wire Sizes section, find the Upsize #12 to #10 wire length option. To prevent wire sizes from being upsized automatically, enter a larger number in the field provided.

The Show #10 on homerun when wires upsized option in the same section controls whether the upsized wire is displayed on homeruns. When this is set to Yes, a #10 is inserted for the wire callout. The tick marks are inserted normally. When this is set to No, no notation is made on the homerun that these wires have been upsized.