During the cold winter I always see a fire on the news that they say was caused by a space heater. I could imagine a dumpy old building with poor heat. So to stay warm the tenant uses a space heater on an out dated electrical system.
I believe a better solution would be for UL to require manufactures to use 20 Amp plugs on anything over certain amperage. Say anything over 12 amps for continuous use and 15 amps for non continuous use.
This would eliminate the use of extension cords unless they are made for 20 amp circuits.
This would also eliminate plugging in an appliance or tool into a circuit not designed for that load.
It could create work for us. Adding a 20 amp circuit in a bedroom for a hair drier, treadmill, or space heater. They would call because the plug does not fit in the receptacle. If this is done now it is because they were tripping the breaker.
We might also be busy changing out 15 amp devices that were put on 20 amp circuits.
Customers might better recognize when an electrician runs a 15 or 20 amp circuit (or at least which device he uses.
There is always a way around safety measures. Someone could put a 20 amp device on a 15 amp circuit. The plug prongs could be bent strait. They could make a custom extension cord or adapter. I could imagine one of these for sale on the internet.
Buying devices I don't know why I spend the extra $ for 20 amp devices when it is not required, customers don't know the difference, the competition does not use them, and I never seen anything around a house with a 20 amp plug on it. I just want to be better then the other guys and maybe someday things will change.
Tom
