Appliance receptacle, plug, and breaker

[cppoly]

Can an appliance with a NEMA 5-15 plug be plugged into a NEMA 5-20 simplex receptacle?

Breaker can be either 15A or 20A right?

 

[hbiss]

Breaker should be 20A but otherwise no problem.

-Hal

 

[augie47]

Unless the manufacturers instructions state otherwise you can.
A 20 amp receptacle is not allowed on a 15 amp circuit if there are 2 or more receptacles on the circuit.

 

[infinity]

Can an appliance with a NEMA 5-15 plug be plugged into a NEMA 5-20 simplex receptacle?

Breaker can be either 15A or 20A right?

Yes the OCPD can be either 15 or 20 amps with a single 20 amp receptacle. The receptacle is designed for both 15 and 20 amp plugs.

 

[cppoly]

Thanks,

If a refrig appliance does not state the OCPD in the cut sheet, you have to calculate it? For instance if it says 5A current but does not say whether to use a 15A or 20A breaker, you can't exceed 15A OCPD if the calculation comes out to 11.5A right?

 

[petersonra]

Thanks,

If a refrig appliance does not state the OCPD in the cut sheet, you have to calculate it? For instance if it says 5A current but does not say whether to use a 15A or 20A breaker, you can't exceed 15A OCPD if the calculation comes out to 11.5A right?

I think the code requires the maximum OCPD be marked on the equipment nameplate.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

I think the code requires the maximum OCPD be marked on the equipment nameplate.

I don't think the code requires that for anything other than the equipment covered by Article 440. Per 440.3 plug in appliances that use hermetic refrigerant motor-compressors are covered by Article 422.

 

[petersonra]

422.11 Overcurrent Protection.
(G) Motor-Operated Appliances. Motors of motor-operated
appliances shall be provided with overload protection in
accordance with Part III of Article 430. Hermetic refrigerant
motor-compressors in air-conditioning or refrigerating equipment
shall be provided with overload protection in accordance
with Part VI of Article 440. Where appliance overcurrent
protective devices that are separate from the appliance are
required, data for selection of these devices shall be marked on
the appliance. The minimum marking shall be that specified in
430.7 and 440.4.

I don't know if that sentence applies to refrigerators or not.

 

[suemarkp]

Manufacturers need to support it regardless. Sometimes i see things in instructions that make no sense. My washing machine says to plug into a 15A circuit. But the NEC requires laundry receptacles to be 20A circuits. Same with kitchens and dining rooms. Most appliances could be connected in a kitchen or dining room, so a 20A breaker should be assumed for max supply side protection and 15A minimum.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

422.11 Overcurrent Protection.
(G) Motor-Operated Appliances. Motors of motor-operated
appliances shall be provided with overload protection in
accordance with Part III of Article 430. Hermetic refrigerant
motor-compressors in air-conditioning or refrigerating equipment
shall be provided with overload protection in accordance
with Part VI of Article 440. Where appliance overcurrent
protective devices that are separate from the appliance are
required, data for selection of these devices shall be marked on
the appliance. The minimum marking shall be that specified in
430.7 and 440.4.

I don't know if that sentence applies to refrigerators or not.

I don't think that "Where appliance overcurrent protective devices that are separate from the appliance are required" applies to the branch circuit OCPD, but not sure.

 

[Tulsa Electrician]

Simplex= single receptacle?
Single receptacle on dedicated circuit?
Just trying to follow along.
Thanks

 

[LarryFine]

Simplex= single receptacle?

Yes, as opposed to duplex:

One receptacle on one yoke vs two receptacles on one yoke.

Single receptacle on dedicated circuit?

One receptacle is only load on circuit.

 

[Tulsa Electrician]

2014 NEC, 210.20 (B) (1)
Single receptacle on individual branch circuit.
If not an individual branch circuit. The rule changes. Two or more
210.20 (B) (3) table

 

[Tulsa Electrician]

Never heard it referred to as a simplex. Thanks

 

[Tulsa Electrician]

If a 15 or 20 individual branch on a single recpt. Would 210.23 (A ) (1) &(2) apply?
I know that was not part of the original question.
Let's use a microwave above a range versus one slid in on a shelf.
One fastened in place and one not.
A refrigerator and a dishwasher. One fastened in place and one not. Or either could be.