20 amp receptacle on washer

[crtemp]

Is it code to install a 20 amp rated receptacle on a washer if it is the only outlet on the circuit. I remember reading somewhere if you have more than 4 receptacles (I think) on a 20 amp circuit it was okay to use 15 amp receptacles. I know I have to use a 20 amp receptacle on the microwave but have never had an issue of install 15 amp plugs on the washer. Just looking for clarification.

Thanks

 

[augie47]

It is legal to use a 20 amp single (simplex) receptacle on a 20 amp circuit.
It is also legal to use a 15 amp duplex on a 20 amp circuit as a duplex is two receptacles by Code.
(It is obviously legal to use more than one of each of the above on the circuit)

 

[Sierrasparky]

Is it code to install a 20 amp rated receptacle on a washer if it is the only outlet on the circuit. I remember reading somewhere if you have more than 4 receptacles (I think) on a 20 amp circuit it was okay to use 15 amp receptacles. I know I have to use a 20 amp receptacle on the microwave but have never had an issue of install 15 amp plugs on the washer. Just looking for clarification.

Thanks

Why do you have to use a 20 amp on the microwave. I have yet to see a 20 amp cord on one.
Maybe some Convection combo unit. Still never saw one.

 

[infinity]

For a single receptacle you would need a minimum size of 20 amps on the 20 amp circuit. For more than one receptacle, like a duplex, it could be a 15 or 20 amp.

 

[crtemp]

Why do you have to use a 20 amp on the microwave. I have yet to see a 20 amp cord on one.
Maybe some Convection combo unit. Still never saw one.

I know the inspectors here want to see a 20 amp plug on the micro circuit. I have been putting a duplex 20 amp plug and they don't seem to mind. I've never seen a tag for using a 15 amp duplex plug though. If it's not any type of code I'm not sure what their problem with it is.

 

[kwired]

I know the inspectors here want to see a 20 amp plug on the micro circuit. I have been putting a duplex 20 amp plug and they don't seem to mind. I've never seen a tag for using a 15 amp duplex plug though. If it's not any type of code I'm not sure what their problem with it is.

As Rob and Gus both mentioned - if there is only one receptacle on a 20 amp circuit it must be a 20 amp receptacle. If there is more then one on a 20 amp circuit they can be 15 or 20 amp or combination of both. A single duplex counts as two receptacles and and can be a 15 amp device.

See 210.21(B)

 

[Sierrasparky]

So the confusion is what would give a AHJ to require a Single Receptacle and be 20 amp for a Microwave outlet?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Why do you have to use a 20 amp on the microwave. I have yet to see a 20 amp cord on one.
Maybe some Convection combo unit. Still never saw one.

There is one area here that requires it also and it must be a single receptacle. If the manufacturer calls for an individual branch circuit then in there opinion a duplex allows other stuff to be connected to it. I guess in some cases someone could add some cabinet lights that turn on when the door opens

 

[kwired]

So the confusion is what would give a AHJ to require a Single Receptacle and be 20 amp for a Microwave outlet?

210.23(A) (both 1 & 2) could result in requiring a single receptacle for utilization equipment that is fastened in place, which means over 7.5 amp unit on a 15 amp circuit or over 10 amp unit on a 20 amp circuit can get you into this issue. I have always installed duplex receptacles for over the range microwave units and never been questioned on it, though most are over 10 amp units. Mine at home here says it is 1.64 kW with output rating of 1000 W. I guess 1000 W turns into 1640 after adding the exhaust fan, lights, and any inefficiencies in the microwave.

 

[infinity]

210.23(A) (both 1 & 2) could result in requiring a single receptacle for utilization equipment that is fastened in place, which means over 7.5 amp unit on a 15 amp circuit or over 10 amp unit on a 20 amp circuit can get you into this issue. I have always installed duplex receptacles for over the range microwave units and never been questioned on it, though most are over 10 amp units. Mine at home here says it is 1.64 kW with output rating of 1000 W. I guess 1000 W turns into 1640 after adding the exhaust fan, lights, and any inefficiencies in the microwave.

True and the 50% fastened in place portion of that section only applies when the other loads are lighting units or cord-and-plug connected utilization equipment not fastened in place so you could have two fastened in place items on that circuit even if one was more than 50% of the circuit's ampacity.

 

[Sierrasparky]

True it may, But not necessarily true and always.
You can have fastened in place utilization equipment and other fastened in place equipment on that same circuit as per A(2).

That section actually reads:

(1) Cord-and-Plug-Connected Equipment Not
Fastened in Place.
The rating of anyone cord-and-plugconnected
utilization equipment not fastened in place shall
not exceed 80 percent of the branch-circuit ampere rating.
(2) Utilization Equipment Fastened in Place.
The total
rating of utilization equipment fastened in place, other
than luminaires, shall not exceed 50 percent of the
branch-circuit ampere rating where lighting units, cordand-
plug-connected utilization equipment not tastened in
place, or both, are also supplied.

 

[kwired]

True and the 50% fastened in place portion of that section only applies when the other loads are lighting units or cord-and-plug connected utilization equipment not fastened in place so you could have two fastened in place items on that circuit even if one was more than 50% of the circuit's ampacity.

I agree you could have other fastened in place items. One thing that don't quite make sense is the lighting units though. If I have 12 amp fastened in place load I can put another 8 amp fastened in place load on same 20 amp circuit but not a half amp lighting unit?