15amp outlet on a 20amp circuit?

[zappy]

why is this ok?thank you.

 

[LarryFine]

For a given grade of receptacle, the conductive parts are the same. The slot shape gives the receptacle its rating, by rejecting other plug types.

Note that some 20a receptacles have a T-slot and some don't; the ones with T-slots will accept either 15a or 20a plugs.

The purpose is to make sure a circuit can handle the load. Allowing 15a receptacles on a 20a circuit is actually an exception for multi-receptacle circuits.

 

[celtic]

It's "OK" only in certain instances....where you have more than one device on said circuit....where total load is less than 12A....etc...[210.21]


I don't see where it it an exception, but rather the rule ~ unless we are talking about welders

 

[charlie b]

why is this ok?thank you.

The simple answer (that is all I can handle :grin: ) is that you can only do it if there are two or more receptacles. The theory, I suppose, is that you won't have more than 15 amps going through any one of the 15 amp receptacles. You might, for example, have 8 amps going through each of a pair of 15 amp receptacles, so that neither is overloaded, and the total load of 16 amps is still within the capacity of the 20 amp circuit.

 

[zappy]

ok

ok

20amp circuit to a 15 amp outlet back stabbed to the next outlet etc.is it not possible to overload a outlet?i heard of a melted outlet once in a mechanic shop.

 

[TwinCitySparky]

All current market "back-stabable" outlets sold today are designed to only accept 14 gauge wire. The old stuff would accept 12.

The back stabbing issue is a whole different monster all together...

 

[zappy]

i meant to say in series of each other.

i meant to say in series of each other.

but i hear you with the back stabbing being a whole nother subject.

 

[infinity]

why is this ok?thank you.

For a single receptacle this is not OK. Look at 210.21(B)(1).

 

[daddyray]

15A receptacle/20A circuit

15A receptacle/20A circuit

I could use some background...I would think a 15A receptacle would provide an extra margin of safety, since it would limit the load on the wiring. So why would the code not "like" it?
:-?