Number of duplex outlets on a 20 amp branch

[ansinspect]

How would the total number of duplex outlets on a 20 amp branch circuit be determined and where in the 2006 or 2003 IRC or 2005 NEC code book is this information?

 

[bkludecke]

In the NEC there is no restriction on the # of recept outlets on a general use lighting/recept branch circuit in dwelling units.

 

[haskindm]

Is this for residential or commercial installations?
Are these general use receptacles or will there be specific loads?

 

[ansinspect]

residential general use with no specific loads

 

[haskindm]

As bkludecke said, there is no limit on the number of general use dwelling receptacles that may be placed on a circuit. The number of required general use circuits will be determined by the square footage of the dwelling and then you will need to decide how many receptacles you will place on each circuit. Many people use a "rule-of-thumb" of 8-10 outlets per circuit, but that is not code. I once wired a house where the owner wanted a receptacle for every 3-6 feet of wallspace for convenience, not because he had things to connect to all of these receptacles. Limiting these circuits to 8 outlets per circuit would have been drastic overkill. Each installation will need to be evaluated on its own.

 

[jtester]

You should check your local code requirements. New Mexico, for example, limits the # of receptacles on residential circuits in the State Code.

Jim T

 

[ryan_618]

Please do a search for this topic, as it has been hashed over many, many times here.

I am locking this thread.

 

[George Stolz]

One last note:

See 210.23 for permissible loads, and here's a couple related threads to get you started:

http://www.mikeholt.com/code_forum/showthread.php?t=82031
http://www.mikeholt.com/code_forum/showthread.php?t=80881