ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues 15/20amp Recepts

Old subject probably but can 15 amp recepticles be used on 20 amp circuits like a kitchen circuit.
I believe 20a recepts are usually used in a dedicated circuit, single or duplex.
15 amp GFI's say they can be used with a 20a feed thru circuit.

53, A duplex receptacle rated 15 amps can be used on a 20 amp circuit such as in a laundry room for the appliance circuit. You can not use a single 15 amp receptacle on a 20 amp circuit though. It must be rated 20 amp. All duplex receptacles in a kitchen, including the GFI's can be rated 15 amp. Hope this helps.
Ron

Also, a duplex receptacle counts as two receptacles for the purposes of this discussion, so it is OK to have a single, 15 amp, duplex receptacle on a 20 amp circuit.

See 210.21 and 210.24

You can always have a smaller (ampacity) receptacle on a larger(ampacity) circuit, but you can't have a larger (ampacity) receptacle on a smaller(ampacity) circuit.

DougW, Says who? I think you are quite wrong about that. Maybe if you explain in a little bit more detail it will make sense. According to your statement I can put a 20A 230 volt 3 phase TL receptacle on a 30 Amp 230 volt 3 phase circuit. No way. I'm sure you just used the wrong wording.
Ron

Ron actually you can put a single receptacle of higher ampacity then the circuit it is connected to.

Mr. IWIRE, I am looking for an example where you'd put a higher rated single receptacle on a lower rated individual branch circuit and I'm not finding any. Except for the exceptions in 210.21(B)(1). And I'm not sure that's even an argument in your favor. Please educate me

George that is twice today I have been called Mr.

Please call me Bob

First I did not say it was a great idea but lets look some of 210.21(B)



Notice they did not say the same rating as the branch circuit or the values in Table 210.21(B)(3).

Now


IMO it is clear the requirements for single receptacles have nothing to do with Table 210.21(B)(3).

IMO single receptacles and multiple receptacles rated over 50 amps may be supplied with branch circuits rated lower than the receptacle.

I would have to ask what code section prohibits using a single 30 amp receptacle on a 15 amp circuit.

An engineer once wrote in asking if he could feed a 200 amp pin and sleeve receptacle with a 90 amp branch circuit.

No one could find a code section preventing that.

Bob

[This message has been edited by iwire (edited 12-21-2004).]

That does actually make sense. A 200 amp receptacle protected by 90 amp fusing will be safe. The reverse would not be--a 90 amp receptacle protected by 200 amp fusing is in danger of being overloaded.

I think that the confusion that arises comes from the concept that a 200 amp load is going to be plugged into a 200 amp receptacle. When you're dealing with plugs and receptacles in excess of 20 amps, that doesn't necessarily follow. The cord, plug and receptacle are normally often selected at the time of installation; they need to be sufficient for the load, but there is no danger in having them too big.

The fusing is normally selected specifically for the load, so there's not really an issue with the receptacle and fusing having different values.

At 20 amps and below, the situation tends to be different. Specifically, if a load is supplied with a cord with a 20 amp plug, it almost certainly draws more current than can legally be supplied by a 15 amp circuit. And 15 and 20 amp circuits are pretty much generic--you find an existing receptacle in the wall, and plug into it. So, if one were to put a 20 amp receptacle on a 15 amp circuit, there is more of a danger that someone will plug in a load that needs a 20 amp circuit.

[This message has been edited by SolarPowered (edited 12-21-2004).]