20 amp receptacles on a 15 amp circuit

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Re: 20 amp receptacles on a 15 amp circuit

goldstar, 210-21(b)(3). is logical. The difference between the two situations, 20A on 15A or 15A on 20A will create two different situations. One could result in a tripped 15A breaker (or blown 15A fuse). The other could result in a fire in the wall.
steve
 
Re: 20 amp receptacles on a 15 amp circuit

I don't know of any portable appliance that draws more than 15 amps, or 1800 watts. The hair dryers rated at 1850 watts, do not draw that much due to the voltage drop. The size marking is for the purpose of creating sales.

A 15 amp receptacle is rated for the load to be encountered.
 
Re: 20 amp receptacles on a 15 amp circuit

I think it comes down to this, just because it is impractical does not mean it is unsafe or against the code. The NEC pretty much says this in 90.1(B)

A question from a consultant before was along the same lines as this.

A customer of theirs had specified a 200 amp receptacle and the consultant wanted to know if the NEC required the outlet be fed with 200 amps.

I could find no direct requirement for that, other than the circuit must cover the load served.210.19(A)(1)

So in this case, say you know that the load was 105 amps, and the next largest receptacle available is 200 amps.

Should you be required to use 200 amp conductors and OCP protection or should you be allowed to save the customer money and run conductors and OCP closer to the load size?
 
Re: 20 amp receptacles on a 15 amp circuit

IMHO if the receptacle is rated equal to or larger than the supply conductors and the conductors are properly protected, all is well.
 
Re: 20 amp receptacles on a 15 amp circuit

A 15 amp ciruit with a load drawing 16 amps of current in 'overload' may not trip the breaker for quite some time. I do not have a breaker curve chart in front of me, but the breaker on overload has a time characteristic that will allow it to operate for a period of time. I bet Bennie has good knowledge of this subject to explain it better than I can.

Pierre
 
Re: 20 amp receptacles on a 15 amp circuit

Pierre, even though the OCPD performance may be a problem, it is not an issue an installer could control. A 15 amp breaker is allowed to be loaded to 15 amps if the duration is under 3 hours. If 16 amps applied at the intended design time failed to open the OCPD, it would be a danger the same as any piece of faulty equipment could be.

Roger

[ September 27, 2003, 01:26 PM: Message edited by: roger ]
 
Re: 20 amp receptacles on a 15 amp circuit

I don't know of any portable appliance that draws more than 15 amps, or 1800 watts. The hair dryers rated at 1850 watts, do not draw that much due to the voltage drop. The size marking is for the purpose of creating sales.

A 15 amp receptacle is rated for the load to be encountered.
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Bennie, I know you're trying to say something here that makes a lot of sense but I'm not sure I understand what it is. I know the chances of finding a home appliance with a 20 amp cord and plug is a long shot (which would make the subject of this thread a moot point) but this situation doesn't only apply to residential installations. We're talking about SINGLE not DUPLEX receptacles. Manufacturers continue to make single receptacles for a reason (not to mention that you'll pay more for a single than you would a duplex receptacle).

Let's say that you have a sump or sewer ejector pump in a basement. I could run # 14 to it and install a 15 amp duplex receptacle, plug it in and it works. However, because it's in an unfinished basement I'd have to make it a GFCI receptacle. Now I run the risk of the GFI receptacle tripping during a high water condition. So instead I install a SINGLE 15 amp receptacle (for a specific use) up as high as possible and plug in my sump or sewer ejector pump.

Now, a couple of years go by and I have to change out that 15 amp single receptacle because it corroded due to dampness. If I use my supply house that only stocks 20 amp single receptacles and replace that 15 amp with a 20 amp receptacle have I done the right thing ?

[ December 14, 2004, 08:53 PM: Message edited by: goldstar ]
 
Re: 20 amp receptacles on a 15 amp circuit

Good morning Phil

Originally posted by goldstar:
I install a SINGLE 15 amp receptacle (for a specific use) up as high as possible and plug in my sump or sewer ejector pump.

Now, a couple of years go by and I have to change out that 15 amp single receptacle because it corroded due to dampness. If I use my supply house that only stocke 20 amp single receptacles and replace that 15 amp with a 20 amp receptacle have I done the right thing ?
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IMO you would be code compliant.

90.1(B) Adequacy. This Code contains provisions that are considered necessary for safety. Compliance therewith and proper maintenance will result in an installation that is essentially free from hazard but not necessarily efficient, convenient, or adequate for good service or future expansion of electrical use.
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Would it be the right thing?

That IMO is strictly up to you and your customers needs.

JMO, Bob
 
Re: 20 amp receptacles on a 15 amp circuit

goldstar, I know that you asked Bennie a question but I still want to discuss this as I find it interesting. If the circuit that you describe has only one outlet, then you are rightly allowed to replace the 15A recpt. with a 20A. IMO it is not a safety concern and it is allowed by code. Another thing to consider (for peace of mind) is that #14 60C cable is rated for 20A and fused at 15A per code (310-16, 240-3(d).
 
Re: 20 amp receptacles on a 15 amp circuit

210.21(B)(1)
A single receptacle shall have an ampere rating not less than the branch circuit. (doesn't mention load)

210.23(A)(1)
Limits the load to 80%.


If your installing a single receptacle, (Not a duplex) on a circuit by it's self, then it more than likely be for a particular piece of equipment. The equipment would have to be 12 amps or less.

I can't find anywhere, that a single receptacle on a branch circuit by it self can't be 20amp.
 
Re: 20 amp receptacles on a 15 amp circuit

Originally posted by russ:
210.23(A)(1)
Limits the load to 80%.
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For what ever reason 210.23.(A)(1) only applies to two or more outlets or receptacles.

Look at 210.23
 
Re: 20 amp receptacles on a 15 amp circuit

Good morning Bob, Hillbilly & Russ,

Sunday morning, before noon, talking about the NEC.......do we all need to get a life ???

Thank you all for your replies. After reading your opinions I can understand your points of view based on your code references. Now, can someone explain why manufacturers make 15 amp receptacles ? Why don't they just manufacture 20 amp receptacles so that they're keyed to accept 20 amp cord and plug attachments OR not make 20 amp receptacles at all because the code implies that it doesn't matter whether they do or not.

I guess what I'm asking is basically what would be the scenario for using a 20 amp receptacle as opposed to a 15 amp based on NEC reasoning ?
 
Re: 20 amp receptacles on a 15 amp circuit

Hi Guys.

My point is, with a single receptacle on a branch circuit by its self, how can you have any more than one piece of utilization equipment.

Hmm :( , the more I read it, the more I see a hole in the wording as far as a single receptacle goes.
 
Re: 20 amp receptacles on a 15 amp circuit

I don,t think I'll ever tag any one for puting in a better grade of receptacle, if the rest of the circuit is OK for the equipment.
 
Re: 20 amp receptacles on a 15 amp circuit

Russ, don't take this wrong but
I don,t think I'll ever tag any one for puting in a better grade of receptacle, if the rest of the circuit is OK for the equipment.
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you couldn't red tag it. ;)

Roger
 
Re: 20 amp receptacles on a 15 amp circuit

Originally posted by goldstar:
Thank you all for your responses. The sad part of this is that I asked several of my colleagues and they all believe you CAN use 20 amp receptacles on a 15 amp circuit.

Time for a refresher course !!!
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Sad to say this is the main reason that brought me to this page. :)

In reading a related topic about the feed through ampacity of the tabs on 15A duplex receptacles, (which I still haven't read a good answer) and using the terminals instead of pigtails, (common installation for kitchen receptacles...)leaves me confused as to the purpose of 210.21(B)(1)...
It would appear from table 210.21(B)(3) that 15A duplex receptacles are considered to be OK on 20A circuits so what would be the harm in having a single 15A receptacle on a "individual" 20A circuit.
And what's with using "individual" instead of dedicated like it is used in other parts of the code?
 
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