Does the code not permit 15a receptacles on a 20a circuit in a comemrcial setting?

[bgelectric]

Just as the title states.

 

[masterinbama]

As long as you have 2 or more it does.

Is this possibly a specification item rather than an NEC item?

 

[iwire]

You can use 15 amp receptacles in commercial buildings.

 

[xformer]

I believe you can do this in all occupancy classifications...

 

[infinity]

You can use 15 amp receptacles in commercial buildings.

I believe you can do this in all occupancy classifications...

I agree and I wonder why this questions comes up so often? Was there ever a time when a 20 amp multi-receptacle circuit required 20 amp receptacles?

 

[bgelectric]

agreed

agreed

This is what I had figured but was second guessing myself.
I guess its because its spec'd out almost always in commercial buildings and after sometime by habit I think its code.
Thanks guys!

 

[Cavie]

Has anyone ever seen the word commercial used in the NEC? Sorry, I couldn't help myself. I guess that could be a whole thread in it'self.

 

[Smart $]

Has anyone ever seen the word commercial used in the NEC? Sorry, I couldn't help myself. I guess that could be a whole thread in it'self.

Actually yes... several times. For starters:

511 Commercial Garages, Repair and Storage
220.56 commercial kitchen equipment
225.7 oudoor lighting equipment 277V to ground
225.18 & 230.24 clearance of overhead conductors
225.19 & 230.9 clearance from building openings
multiple occurences in Article 250
and so on

 

[Cavie]

Actually yes... several times. For starters:

511 Commercial Garages, Repair and Storage
220.56 commercial kitchen equipment
225.7 outdoor lighting equipment 277V to ground
225.18 & 230.24 clearance of overhead conductors
225.19 & 230.9 clearance from building openings
multiple occurrences in Article 250
and so on

My bad.:ashamed: I just get agitated when "Engineered requirements" somehow get embedded in the NEC in places where I can't read them.:?

 

[tom baker]

Seldom do I see a device with a 20 amp plug. And then if it requires a 20 amp plug/circuit it should be on a dedicated circuit.

 

[cowboyjwc]

That's it, time to write my book, "Code Myths".

 

[liquidtite]

I agree and I wonder why this questions comes up so often? Was there ever a time when a 20 amp multi-receptacle circuit required 20 amp receptacles?

I know a guy in northern nj that got flagged for 15Amp rec on a 20 amp circuit

 

[infinity]

I know a guy in northern nj that got flagged for 15Amp rec on a 20 amp circuit

Unless it was a single 15 amp receptacle on an 20 amp individual branch circuit that inspector needs a refresher course. :roll:

I was tempted to ask what town.

 

[delectric123]

In buildings where power tools are frequently used, i've found those 15 amp receptacles wear out too quickly

 

[ActionDave]

In buildings where power tools are frequently used, i've found those 15 amp receptacles wear out too quickly

If you are using same quality of recpts then the only difference is the extra notch in the plastic on the 20A recpt.

 

[delectric123]

If you are using same quality of recpts then the only difference is the extra notch in the plastic on the 20A recpt.

which brand would you call quality?

 

[Lectricbota]

That's it, time to write my book, "Code Myths".

Give us a link for pre-orders.

 

[cowboyjwc]

Give us a link for pre-orders.

:thumbsup:

I'm also goning to combine it with my other book, "The 100 top excuses used by contractors".

This will actuall be a reference book, so instead of having to go through the whole story with the inspcetor, you can simply tell them, "this is a #6.":roll: