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Joined: Oct 2005
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the project I am working at is in dekalb county ill,,the question is,,we are not allowed to use 20 amp recepticals ,even on a 20 amp cercut>what is the logic behind this?
Patrick
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Joined: Mar 2002
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On a 15A circuit, you cannot use 20A receptacles, as it is a code violation. On a 20A circuit with more than one receptacle, you can use 15A receptacles and save money over buying 20A receptacles if you like (or the engineer's specification require). So it may be just financial.
Ron
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Using 20 amp receptacles is generally allowed per code pretty much anywhere else, so I don't think it's an NEC issue. Could it be that someone at the local jurisdiction is trying to enforce something that he/she is mistaken about?
Radar
There are 10 types of people. Those who know binary, and those who don't.
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My suspicion is that the AHJ is trying to make sure a full 20 amp load isn't plugged into a single outlet, i.e. 80% maximum loading allowed on a 20 amp outlet is 16 amps (unless all components are rated to operate at 100%).
To be honest, I don't think I've ever seen an electrical product with a true 20 amp connector.
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To be honest, I don't think I've ever seen an electrical product with a true 20 amp connector. They're usually on high-powered 110 volt domestic air conditioners. That's where I've seen NEMA 5-20 plugs. Of course those are usually plugged into dedicated 20 amp circuits.
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Bingo.
Maybe that right there is their problem. If the receptacles are 20 amp rated, then 2 of them would/could draw 40 amps, 3 would/could be 60 amps, etc. Ya never know.
There are 10 types of people. Those who know binary, and those who don't.
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Joined: Jul 2004
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Radar that is not really an issue. Anyone could plug 2 1440w heaters into a 5-15 duplex. That's why we have 240.4(D)
[This message has been edited by gfretwell (edited 01-07-2006).]
Greg Fretwell
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True enough - that wasn't really a serious comment. Besides, I'm trying to figure why a jurisdiction would not allow 20 amp receptacles on a 20 amp circuit. Seems to me like a similar bit of short sighted reasoning is the most likely answer.
There are 10 types of people. Those who know binary, and those who don't.
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If ya' got 20 amp wire and 20 amp breaker, why not a 20 amp receptacle?
Sounds like a waste of money to put the 20 amp stuff in if you're going to slow it down with a smaller receptacle.
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Following the 80% circuit loading direction...
Perhaps the intent is get #10 wire and a 25A CB behind the 20A receptacle?
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