commercial grade receptacles 20amp always??

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spongybelly

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do i need to always install 20 amp circuits in commercial offices or can they be 15 amp. an inspector instructed me to change to 20 amp but i cant find it in codebook! does it apply to industrial applications aswell, (and how bout lighting circuits)???:confused:
 
No, the NEC does not require you to use 20 amp receptacles in commercial installations.

Unless it was a dedicated circuit, or was shown on the prints being 20 amp receptacles, the inspector was mistaken.

Roger
 
It is a common trade practice to install 20 amp commercial grade receptacles, but not code required as Roger mentioned. They CR-20 as it's know are usually the cheapest to buy at around $1.25 a piece wholesale.
 
The only application where a 20 amp receptacle would be required on a 20 amp circuit would be a single receptacle.
 
15 will save you money and in most uses will do just fine.It might backfire on you if they have anything that requires that 20 amp config.Typical offices/stores will do fine on a 15.However most likely it was speced with 20's and that could force you to get a letter from engineer that you might not be able to get.
 
Rick, IMO it would have to be to a single receptacle to be a dedicated circuit, I guess I should have been more specific. :smile:

Roger
 
roger said:
Rick, IMO it would have to be to a single receptacle to be a dedicated circuit, I guess I should have been more specific. :smile:

Roger
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I was just busting on you!!
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peter d said:
FWIW, Walgreen's specs industrial spec grade 15 amp receptacles (5262 or maybe 8300 comes to mind) for the entire store.
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I've seen many commercial spec's with 20 amp only devices on 20 amp circuits. But I really doubt that anyone ever plugs in a device with a 20 amp plug.
 
Chris21 said:
Would that be a matter of AHJ as opposed to finding the requirements in the NEC? Anyone?
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Do you mean that the AHJ is making up his own code rules? Requiring the 20 amp circuits to have 20 amp duplex receptacles is not in the NEC.
 
Ahj cant make you use the 20 amp receptacles but some will check your specs on the stamped print.Think what it will cost you to change them if your caught.Some items now have 20 amp plugs,copy machine,frig,coffee maker,vacume
 
spongybelly said:
do i need to always install 20 amp circuits in commercial offices or can they be 15 amp. an inspector instructed me to change to 20 amp but i cant find it in codebook! does it apply to industrial applications aswell, (and how bout lighting circuits)???:confused:
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Bill the inspector for a change order. :)
 
Chris21 said:
Would that be a matter of AHJ as opposed to finding the requirements in the NEC? Anyone?
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If the stamped set of prints requires 20 amp, then the AHJ has the right or dare I say obligation to enforce this as he does every other requiremnt of the NEC. He is inspecting for code complicance AND for adherance to the approved set of prints for the project.

IMHO
 
receptacles

receptacles

no you do not have to install 20 amp receptacles. the code states that a single receptacle has to be rated t0 the circuit that feed it so if you got one receptacle on a 20 amp circuit it has to be rated 20 amps. is you have two or more receptacles on a 20 amp circuit they can be rates 15 or 20 amps.
hope this will help.
 
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