Posted: 8/2/2010 8:33:12 AM EDT
| Is it ok to use 15amp switches/outlets on a 20 amp circuit? I finished out our basement with 2 bedrooms and a family area and put them all on 20amp circuits(12/2c) Now I see I bought all 15 amp stitches/outlets(originally going to just put in 15amps circuits). Is it ok do put them in? will the inspector flag it? I asked one of our electricians and he said it was good to go but I wanted to double check |
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http://en.allexperts.com/q/Electrical-Wiring-Home-1734/15-amp-outlets-20.htm Also see nec 210-21[b](3) |
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The circuit breaker protects the circuit. It must be the weakest link in the circuit to function properly. If you use 15 Amp components (wires, switches and outlets), then you run the risk of something else being the weakest link (like hot melting wires and shit.
Bad ju-ju. Use "12 AWG wires and 20 amp components in a 20 amp circuit. |
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Quoted:
If you ran 14g wire on a 20 amp circuit, there is the possibility of a fire. If you ran 12g on 20amp breaker with 15amp curcuits, you will be okay. you still have a 20 amp circuit, the fuse size determines that. i think what you meant to say was 15 amp devices on a 20 amp circuit.––––––––––-OP––––if you are concerned, just simply install 20 amp commercial receptacles throughout your home. they are so much better than those .39 receptacles at places like home depot.––––ETA–– i've had a master electrician license for over 20 years, been a electrician for 48 years,,,starting to catch on to what i am doing. |
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you cant overload a 15 amp outlet with a 20 amp load because the male plug will not fit. As long as you dont overload your switches with more that a 15 amp load you should be good to go... When sizing recpt circuits use 180 va per outlet . I think that maxes out at around 13 outlets per cuircuit. Remember your bedrooms must have arcfault breakers. Them are pricy little buggers. Good luck |
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Quoted:
YOU ARE FINE!!!! IBEW ELECTRICIAN COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL.......i highly doubt any one receptacle is going to pull more than 15 amps..... Yes, 99% of the time it will be fine, but it's that 1% that burns the house down. And you have to be concerned with faults. Plus the inspector will probably flag it. |
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Quoted: Quoted: If you ran 14g wire on a 20 amp circuit, there is the possibility of a fire. If you ran 12g on 20amp breaker with 15amp curcuits, you will be okay. you still have a 20 amp circuit, the fuse size determines that. i think what you meant to say was 15 amp devices on a 20 amp circuit.––––––––––-OP––––if you are concerned, just simply install 20 amp commercial receptacles throughout your home. they are so much better than those .39 receptacles at places like home depot.––––ETA–– i've had a master electrician license for over 20 years, been a electrician for 48 years,,,starting to catch on to what i am doing. yep been doing it for 30 years myself and would never use cheap devices less than 2 bucks a pop. Seen way to much FAIL and made good money replacing them...... |
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15 amp rated receptacles on a 20A general purpose branch ckt are fine provided, you only terminate the "in and out " conductors to the device's side bussbar screw terminals, use of the "quickwire" terminal holes in the rear are a no-go. The amp listing of a receptacle refers to the face contact rating from which you would be pulling current out of.
The same for 15A toggle switches on "general pupose branch circuits" . But now if you are trying to toggle switch a large bank of recess lighting, the arching sound would give you a hint there's a problem |