15A recep on 20A circuit - commercial vs residential

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nscarnati

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I understand 210.52 states 15A receps are allowed on 20A circuits (granted that they are not a dedicated recep for the circuit)

Is that the same for commercial work as well, or do I have to use 20A receps only on a 20A circuit?
 
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See table 210.24 for BC's with 2 or more outlets. It applies to any occupancy. BTW a duplex receptacle counts as two outlets.
 
Thanks I checked that out - is the any exceptions for the rule, for like the 2 small appliance circuits? Or is 15A receps ok there as well?
 
is the any exceptions for the rule, for like the 2 small appliance circuits? Or is 15A receps ok there as well?
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The receptacles of the small appliance branch circuits can be 15 amp.

Chris
 
As others have stated a 15 amp duplex receptacle can be on a 20 amp circuit regardless of the occupancy. However a single 15 amp receptacle is not permitted on a 20 amp circuit.
 
thanks for the responses... i'm now seriously questioning the abilities of an electrician I have doing a job for me who argued with me that I had to get 20A receptacles and 20A switches since the circuit was 20A... he has mainly just done commercial work, so I was wondering if maybe it was a commericial requirement, and he just didnt know residential could use 15A receps...

related to that, there's no issues or exceptions that should prevent me from using 15A switches on a 20A circuit, since none of the loads on those switches is anywhere near 15A, is there?
 
there's no issues or exceptions that should prevent me from using 15A switches on a 20A circuit, since none of the loads on those switches is anywhere near 15A, is there?
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No.

Chris
 
404.14 says the switch is to be used within its ratings and explains what that is for various types of loads.

Nothing is in the Code about the switch rating matching or exceeding the source overcurrent rating.
 
nscarnati said:
... i'm now seriously questioning the abilities of an electrician ...
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Guard against evaluating an individual's "ability" solely by "knowledge of code nuances"

Keep in mind that what was recommended was neither unsafe nor against code.

It might have just been an honest mistake made by an individual working in an unfamiliar area. (although if it was unfamiliar territory, he should have looked it up)

Don't let it turn into another "testosterone contest."
 
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His confusion could come from years of commercial work that often needs to follow specs and in quality jobs a 20 would likely be the spec.You might still have a great man that just is not use to residential.
 
NoVA Comms Power said:
Guard against evaluating an individual's "ability" solely by "knowledge of code nuances"

Keep in mind that what was recommended was neither unsafe nor against code.

It might have just been an honest mistake made by an individual working in an unfamiliar area. (although if it was unfamiliar territory, he should have looked it up)

Don't let it turn into another "testosterone contest."
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We had a thread a while back about Urban Legends & Myths a while back, but I can't find it. (Somebody will. :D) Your electrician's error in 15 - 20 amp devices didn't make the list. Funny though, they can be easly debunked by just looking them up in the code.
 
It seems to me that installing multiple 20amp duplex receptacles on a 20amp branch circuit is asking for trouble. For example, what if a tenant is moving into a new space who has two or more copy machines with 20amp plugs and sees two 20amp receptacles side by side or worse, plugs them into the same duplex. It wont work!!!. I think the code should only allow 20amp single receptacles for a dedicated circuit so it cant be overloaded. 20amp duplex receptacles cause A lot of problems because of this.
 
frank112 said:
IFor example, what if a tenant is moving into a new space who has two or more copy machines with 20amp plugs and sees two 20amp receptacles side by side or worse, plugs them into the same duplex.
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Then the tenant will call their electrical contractor to install an additional circuit if necessary.
 
frank112 said:
It seems to me that installing multiple 20amp duplex receptacles on a 20amp branch circuit is asking for trouble. For example, what if a tenant is moving into a new space who has two or more copy machines with 20amp plugs and sees two 20amp receptacles side by side or worse, plugs them into the same duplex. It wont work!!!. I think the code should only allow 20amp single receptacles for a dedicated circuit so it cant be overloaded. 20amp duplex receptacles cause A lot of problems because of this.
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If they think that they soon will learn.Big diferance between seeing a single 20 and a duplex.While it may be a dedicated circuit if it has a duplex it is not likely to be a dedicated outlet (could be 2 circuits).Also seeing a single 20 does not mean it is dedicated either.Would the same customer look at a 15 amp and assume they have the full 15 amps available ? Hope not.No fire or shock hazard,breaker trips call electrician.
 
frank112 said:
For example, what if a tenant is moving into a new space who has two or more copy machines with 20amp plugs and sees two 20amp receptacles side by side or worse, plugs them into the same duplex. It wont work!!!.
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Sure it will, as long as they don't hit "copy" on both machines at the same time.
 
peter d said:
Then the tenant will call their electrical contractor to install an additional circuit if necessary.
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marinesgt0411 said:
No he won't he will go to the local grocery store and buy one of those surge thingy's and plug six or seven more items into it.
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How does that change anything???
The OCP is still 20A :confused:
 
What about the phrase in 210.24 that says.."other than the receptacle circuits of 210.11(C)(1) and (C)(2)? Does that not say that Table 210.24 does not apply to those specific circuits?
 
Reason for the question...An inspector in Michigan is saying that 210.11(C)(1) & (C)(2) requires the 20 Amp receptacle ratings in the Kitchen and Laundry room.
 
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