For a room used as a home office, which of the following wiring options may be considered?

Using 12 AWG for the home run or branch circuits is a sound choice for a home office, considering the potential electrical loads and safety requirements. The 12 AWG wire is rated for 20 amps, which provides a safe margin for the electrical needs commonly found in a home office, such as computers, printers, and other peripherals. This gauge is particularly advantageous if multiple electronics are used simultaneously, helping to prevent overheating and potential circuit overloads.

In residential wiring, it is crucial to adhere to the National Electric Code (NEC) guidelines, which generally recommend using appropriate wire sizes based on the expected load. For typical home office applications, using 12 AWG enables installation of 20-amp circuits, which supports various devices efficiently.

In contrast, other options present limitations or do not meet safety standards. For instance, using 14 AWG wire may not provide sufficient capacity for a home office setup that could have multiple devices plugged in at once. Wiring in duplex receptacles exclusively may not maximize the number of available outlets needed for multiple devices. Lastly, utilizing non-UL listed plug-in strips could pose safety risks, as these may not have been tested for safety and reliability, making them potentially hazardous in terms of overload protection.