15 Amp GFCI feeding 20 amp outlets on 20 amp circuit

LarryFine said:
For a given grade of receptacle, the slot shape is the only difference. The conductive parts of both ratings are identical; it's less expensive to manufacture that way.

Also, as far as I remember, every15a GFCI receptacle I have ever seen was rated for use on 15a or 20a circuits and rated for 20a feed-through.

I have always believed that the 20a configuration was an indication that the circuit was 20a, but above statements say that this is not necessarily correct.

Note that the contacts below each have three points of contact with either vertical or horizontal blades, so multiple configurations are available using the same parts: 15a at 125v, 20a at 125v, 15a at 250v, 20a at 250v, and combination duplexes, just by using different faces.

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So I am going to agree with Larry for the most part.
 
Sberry said:
I was thinking 20 A recepts needed 20 but maybe that is to single outlet?
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A single receptacle can have a larger ampacity rating than the indiviual branch circuit supplying it. That's why we use 50 amp single receptacles for ranges on 40 amp circuits.
 
Its not an argument its a question.
There is a lot of mis understanding of this in some respect. There is soome common opinion that anything has a 20 end needs a 20 circuit when that may not be so,,, it may be simple rejection used on any 120 to keep it off the circuits that have 15 outlets.
 
Sberry said:
Is it a single if it is a duplex and I believe a single 20 is required to be 20???
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No a 20 amp duplex receptacle is permitted on a 15 amp circuit. Here's the 2023 NEC where they added the bold:


210.21B(3)
Where connected to a branch circuit supplying two or more receptacles or outlets, receptacle ratings shall not be less than the values listed in Table 210.21(B)(3)
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Hello,

I appreciate everyone’s responses. I firmly believe the incomplete communication this example presents—that there is no such thing as a 15A duplex receptacle, just a 15A faceplate—could be improved upon.

I cannot think of an appliance that uses an actual 20A plug, and I would imagine the vast majority of non-hardwired commercial applications may be similar.

Why not sell all ‘residential’ receptacles with both faceplates? I recently saw a receptacle that came with both beige and white faceplates.

Why not simply require (residential) 12 ga for outlets, 14 ga for switches, and prohibit tapping into a switch for continuous power to an outlet?

Why not simply call ‘15A’ outlets (duplex receptacles) 15-20A receptacles (with 15A faceplates) and vice versa?

So my question remains: Is powering four 20A outlets on a 20A circuit with a 15A GFCI a best practice?

Thank you
 
thomasg88 said:
Why not sell all ‘residential’ receptacles with both faceplates? I recently saw a receptacle that came with both beige and white faceplates.

Why not simply require (residential) 12 ga for outlets, 14 ga for switches, and prohibit tapping into a switch for continuous power to an outlet?

Why not simply call ‘15A’ outlets (duplex receptacles) 15-20A receptacles (with 15A faceplates) and vice versa?
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Why not don't worry about fixing things that are not broke?:devilish:
 
thomasg88 said:
Why not sell all ‘residential’ receptacles with both faceplates? I recently saw a receptacle that came with both beige and white faceplates.
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It's not the face plate, it's the face of the receptacle. The plate is just the cover. The face of the receptacle is not replaceable.
 
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