Some one told me a long time ago about a general rule of thumb for figuring out how many outlets you were allowed to have on a circuit giving there no appliances, fans, motores, etc. He told me that it was 12 for 14 amd 16 for 20. I was wondering if there was any truth to this. I tried to figure it out by taking figuring out my square footage/ voltage amperage for a 15 amp circuit and divided the reaceps around the room and added a light and it did come out to about 12 outlets. Can anyone tell me if this is a good rule of thumb or not
15 and 20 amp circuits
- Thread starter kendog
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bphgravity
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
Re: 15 and 20 amp circuits
This has been covered in great detail on this forum.
For dwelling units, there is no maximum permitted receptacles on any one branch circuit. This is a design consideration.
For non-dwelling occupancies, 10 are permitted on 15-ampere branch circuits and 13 are permitted on 20-ampere branch circuits.
See sections 220.3(B)(9) and (10).
This has been covered in great detail on this forum.
For dwelling units, there is no maximum permitted receptacles on any one branch circuit. This is a design consideration.
For non-dwelling occupancies, 10 are permitted on 15-ampere branch circuits and 13 are permitted on 20-ampere branch circuits.
See sections 220.3(B)(9) and (10).
aelectricalman
Senior Member
- Location
- KY
Re: 15 and 20 amp circuits
I have always used the rule of thumb that each residential non appliance outlet or light is alloted roughly 1 Amp or 120 Watts. Most lights use about 60-100watts, so you have room to be safe. With this being said, I simply say 15 amp circuit would allow 15 amps, but I use 80% of the 15 Amp circuit. That is 12Amps for the 15 Amp circuit and 16 Amps of the 20Amp. I feel that as long as you stay within this rule of thumb you will be okay 99% of time. However ,its all really a matter of design consideration.
I have always used the rule of thumb that each residential non appliance outlet or light is alloted roughly 1 Amp or 120 Watts. Most lights use about 60-100watts, so you have room to be safe. With this being said, I simply say 15 amp circuit would allow 15 amps, but I use 80% of the 15 Amp circuit. That is 12Amps for the 15 Amp circuit and 16 Amps of the 20Amp. I feel that as long as you stay within this rule of thumb you will be okay 99% of time. However ,its all really a matter of design consideration.
aelectricalman
Senior Member
- Location
- KY
Re: 15 and 20 amp circuits
Im sorry, I didnt answer your question.
1 Amp = 1 Receptacle or lum.(light)
don't hold this against me, this is my rule of thumb and Ive had no problems.
On hundred watt light bulb will use .83Amps. Technically, you could use 14 lights on one circuit using 100 watt bulbs and still stay under 80% of the circuits Max load. Use thought when it comes to placing plugs, because its not how many plugs you will have on the circuit, its what will be used on that circuit. That is why there is no max limits. They leave that up to the designer.
A heating pad for your back uses 50 Watts Max
A 27 inch TV uses 125Watts Max
A lamp plugged in uses 100 Max
A Computer 125 Max (if that)
An insence warmer is 18 Watts
A Curling iron uses uses 125 Watts
Iron = 1000 Watts
Hairdryer = 1600+ Watts. Wow
Just wire it like its your home!!
Im sorry, I didnt answer your question.
1 Amp = 1 Receptacle or lum.(light)
don't hold this against me, this is my rule of thumb and Ive had no problems.
On hundred watt light bulb will use .83Amps. Technically, you could use 14 lights on one circuit using 100 watt bulbs and still stay under 80% of the circuits Max load. Use thought when it comes to placing plugs, because its not how many plugs you will have on the circuit, its what will be used on that circuit. That is why there is no max limits. They leave that up to the designer.
A heating pad for your back uses 50 Watts Max
A 27 inch TV uses 125Watts Max
A lamp plugged in uses 100 Max
A Computer 125 Max (if that)
An insence warmer is 18 Watts
A Curling iron uses uses 125 Watts
Iron = 1000 Watts
Hairdryer = 1600+ Watts. Wow
Just wire it like its your home!!
bphgravity
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
Re: 15 and 20 amp circuits
I find a better method to limit loads is by area and not by individual outlets. For example if you have a 2,000 sq.ft. home, you are required to have at least 4 - 15 ampere branch circuits. 2,000 / 4 = 500 sq.ft. I then split up my home into 4 - 500 sq.ft areas and serve each with one circuit. I then put in as many outlets required and/or desired.
If you were to have a room with 10 receptacles and 5 lighting outlets, chances are only a small portion of each would be used at the same time anyway.
I find a better method to limit loads is by area and not by individual outlets. For example if you have a 2,000 sq.ft. home, you are required to have at least 4 - 15 ampere branch circuits. 2,000 / 4 = 500 sq.ft. I then split up my home into 4 - 500 sq.ft areas and serve each with one circuit. I then put in as many outlets required and/or desired.
If you were to have a room with 10 receptacles and 5 lighting outlets, chances are only a small portion of each would be used at the same time anyway.
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