General use receptacles on 30amp circuits

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LarryFine

Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
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Henrico County, VA
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But are you going to see 4,400 to 4,600 watts of load on it? Doubt it.
To help us understand your thoughts a little better, why would the same not be able to be said about any device on any circuit?

Why not ask: "Why shouldn't we be able to wire 15/20a receptacles on a 60a circuit?" What's different in your example?
 

jap

Senior Member
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Electrician
But are you going to see 4,400 to 4,600 watts of load on it? Doubt it.


Ultimately 20amp OCPDs would be used, but the real world is different.

But, couldn't we apply that train of thought to most any Device/OCPD combination if we wanted too?

Why try and reinvent the wheel?


Jap>
 

mbrooke

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To help us understand your thoughts a little better, why would the same not be able to be said about any device on any circuit?

Why not ask: "Why shouldn't we be able to wire 15/20a receptacles on a 60a circuit?" What's different in your example?

A short circuit might melt the plug to appliance flex cord before the breaker trips, if at all.
 

mbrooke

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But, couldn't we apply that train of thought to most any Device/OCPD combination if we wanted too?

Why try and reinvent the wheel?


Jap>

Unfortunately reinventing the wheel is the norm :(
 

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mbrooke

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But, couldn't we apply that train of thought to most any Device/OCPD combination if we wanted too?

Why try and reinvent the wheel?


Jap>

Ignore "special purpose" its a office cubical receptacle :roll:
 

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mbrooke

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I'd rather see a #18 on a 20a breaker than on a 30a.

You make a good point here.


The question for me is, will #18 trip a breaker when short circuited.

Forgive all the silly questions. In part I want to say this is wrong, on the other hand I'd like to think engineers know something I don't.
 

jap

Senior Member
Occupation
Electrician
in a nutshell,,, this electrical drawing is all jacked up....

JAP>
 

LarryFine

Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
Location
Henrico County, VA
Occupation
Electrical Contractor
You make a good point here.
I do that sometimes. :D

The question for me is, will #18 trip a breaker when short circuited.
I believe that, yes, with typical circuit methods and lengths, a direct short will trip all small breakers at the same rate (for a given brand/type).

Forgive all the silly questions. In part I want to say this is wrong, on the other hand I'd like to think engineers know something I don't.
There's nothing to forgive; you're participating. This is exactly why forums like this exist. You're engaging in conversation and not argument.
 

mbrooke

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