A GFCI breaker will trip on overload. A GFCI receptacle will not. A 15 amp receptacle is the rating of the receptacle this means that if you have only one receptacle on a 20 amp circuit it would have to be rated for 20 amps so you would need to install a 20 amp receptacle. 15 amp rated receptacles can be used on a 20 amp circuit if you have more than one on the circuit. Some equipment is also rated for 20 amp circuits. They cannot be plugged into a 15 amp receptacle. A 20 amp receptacle has the extra sideways slot in the face of it. I have a pvc hot box used for bending pvc conduit. It has a plug with one prong 90 deg. from the other. This prevents you from plugging it into a 15 amp rated receptacle. Although both receptacles are rated for 120 volts they have different amperage ratings and different nema configurations. The only difference between a standard receptacle and a GFCI receptacle is that the GFCI receptacle will trip when there is an imbalance between the hot and neutral. Both types of receptacles come in 15 amp and 20 amp versions.
[This message has been edited by A-Line (edited 12-07-2004).]
[This message has been edited by A-Line (edited 12-07-2004).]
