Libby said:If I have a run of 20 amp wire on a 15 amp breaker can I connect the 20 amp wire to 15 amp outlets and switches?
Wiring to code is a minimum. Compensating for voltage drop is very wise in some situations. That is the only advantage one needs to have so don't knock it. I have done this and you can easily do it without overfilling the box. Calculate a 1000 watt heater at a distance of 100 feet from the panel and the formula will suggest a #10 wire to comply with the footnote of 3% voltage drop.romeo said:I agree that it is code compliant. But other than to compensate for voltage drop,what is the advantage? Sounds to me like a home owner doing wiring thinking that he did a great job because he over sized the conductors,then violated the conductor fill. I always felt that wiring to code was normally a safe. However there are always exception to the rules in some cases.
bikeindy said:you can use 15A devices even if you use a 20A breaker on a 20A wire, you can not use a 20 A device on a 15 A circuit.
infinity said:You could use a single 20 amp receptacle on a 15 amp circuit. You cannot use a duplex or multiple receptacles.
Jim W in Tampa said:Where did you get that idea ? 20 amp single receptacle on 15 amp breaker ?????????????
Dennis Alwon said:Wiring to code is a minimum. Compensating for voltage drop is very wise in some situations. That is the only advantage one needs to have so don't knock it. I have done this and you can easily do it without overfilling the box. Calculate a 1000 watt heater at a distance of 100 feet from the panel and the formula will suggest a #10 wire to comply with the footnote of 3% voltage drop.
romeo said:Either I was not thorough about my explanation or you miss understood. I said other than to compensate for voltage drop ( that is a good idea ) what is the advantage to over sizing a conductor?
Trevor I think Table 210.21(B)(3) clearly states that a 15 amp circuit cannot have a 20 amp receptacle. Article 210.21 (B)(1) IMO means you cannot have less than that of the branch circuit. It does not say you can have more-- "not less than" would imply you could have more, however Table 210.21(B)(3) nullifies that statement.infinity said:Look at 210.21(B)(1).
Unless it's a single-receptacle circuit.Cavie said:20A circuit can have 15 amp recp. go figure.
LarryFine said:The reason you can't place a 20a receptacle on a 15a circuit is that the slot shape of a 20a receptacle implies that the circuit is capable of supplying equipment that comes equipped a 20a plug, meaning that a 15a circuit is not capable of supplying the power the equipment with the 20a plug requires.
Whew!
Unless it's a single-receptacle circuit.
210.21(B)(3) has no effect on 210.21(B)(1) as (B)(3) only applies to a branch circuit supplying two or more receptacles or outlets, while (B)(1) applies to a single receptacle installed on an individual branch circuit. Please note that a duplex receptacle is two receptacles.Trevor I think Table 210.21(B)(3) clearly states that a 15 amp circuit cannot have a 20 amp receptacle. Article 210.21 (B)(1) IMO means you cannot have less than that of the branch circuit. It does not say you can have more-- "not less than" would imply you could have more, however Table 210.21(B)(3) nullifies that statement.
Again I stand corrected...don_resqcapt19 said:Dennis,
210.21(B)(3) has no effect on 210.21(B)(1) as (B)(3) only applies to a branch circuit supplying two or more receptacles or outlets, while (B)(1) applies to a single receptacle installed on an individual branch circuit. Please note that a duplex receptacle is two receptacles.
Don
don_resqcapt19 said:Dennis,
210.21(B)(3) has no effect on 210.21(B)(1) as (B)(3) only applies to a branch circuit supplying two or more receptacles or outlets, while (B)(1) applies to a single receptacle installed on an individual branch circuit. Please note that a duplex receptacle is two receptacles.
Don