Number of Receptacles

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dnyman

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In Residential, the lighting and receptacle load is calculated by square foot. Is there anything in the code that limits the number of receptacles on a branch circuit in residential. You still have the same square foot area regardless of the number of receptacles. I know if you go to commercial wiring there is a 280VA (I think) that limits the number to 10 per branch circuit. I have had an ongoing argument over the years. I say the code does not limit the number as long as you adhere to the 3 VA (I think) per square foot. Thanks for any feedback.
 
dnyman said:
In Residential, the lighting and receptacle load is calculated by square foot. Is there anything in the code that limits the number of receptacles on a branch circuit in residential. You still have the same square foot area regardless of the number of receptacles. I know if you go to commercial wiring there is a 280VA (I think) that limits the number to 10 per branch circuit. I have had an ongoing argument over the years. I say the code does not limit the number as long as you adhere to the 3 VA (I think) per square foot. Thanks for any feedback.
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You are correct for resi. I believe the number is 180va for commercial.
 
So Marc, I gather the question has had some similar inquiries in the past. Sorry, as you can see this is the first couple of posts for me and I'm a nubie. Maybe you could direct me to a link or previous post.
Thanks,
 
Article 220 is for load calculations. Dwelling receptacles do not fall under the 180V per strap/yoke requirement as do other than dwellings.

In a dwelling, once the calculations are performed one can size loads, conductor size for services, feeders and branch circuits.
220.14(J) is the location in the NEC that permits one to install as many receptacles on a circuit for dwellings as one would like to. Remember the NEC is a safety document, if there are many receptacles and the load to the circuit is greater than the overcurrent device value due to too many items plugged into the numerous receptacles, the CBer will most likely open...a safety factor the NEC has prepared for by the circuit size.
 
Don't forget that the term "convenience outlets" is commonly used to describe receptacle outlets in the Code for dwelling units. It is more of a slang term but the Code actually uses it a couple of times. :)
 
Beleive it or not, in the proposal to accept the 2008 Code in TN, the suggested amendments contain language limiting the numer of receptacle outlets per circuit on residential.
(This was added by one of the State AHJ's in an effort limit the number of receptacle outlets per AFCI).
It has not yet been accepted, but if it is, there will be a limit in TN.
 
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augie47 said:
Beleive it or not, in the proposal to accept the 2008 Code in TN, the suggested amendments contain language limiting the numer of receptacle outlets per circuit on residential.
(This was added by one of the State AHJ's in an effort limit the number of receptacle outlets per AFCI).
It has not yet been accepted, but if it is, there will be a limit in TN.
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Why would any one care how many outlets are on a circuit, it only takes two at 12 amp to trip the 20 amp breaker. Why would it matter how many places there are to plug in. I can see it if some one didnt divide the required circuits up evenly, in other words there were to many sq ft on a single circuit and others could have had more sq ft per circuit
 
jetlag said:
Why would any one care how many outlets are on a circuit, it only takes two at 12 amp to trip the 20 amp breaker. Why would it matter how many places there are to plug in. I can see it if some one didnt divide the required circuits up evenly, in other words there were to many sq ft on a single circuit and others could have had more sq ft per circuit
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The main reason is total available circuits for an occupancy. Sure, you could put 100 outlets on the same circuit legally in a mansion, but at some point the HO would have to decide which loads to use and which not to in order to keep from tripping a breaker.

I am in favor of limiting the number of receptacles per square foot. If it is a code requirement it saves having to validate what in my opinion is merely common sense.
 
K8MHZ said:
I am in favor of limiting the number of receptacles per square foot.
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I'm not. I'd rather split up my circuits by expected use, and number of receptacles per circuit, as opposed to having to figure out square footage for a room or set of rooms.
 
NEC does not specify quantity because the receptacle load is unknown. The quantity is up to the electrician and we need correct information to apply 210-23 and Article 422. Most often a high load item may comply with NEC to plug into general lighting receptacle circuit but the electrician will circuit this as dedicated or at least differently to control the high load, in other words a journeyman electrician is not going to intentionally allow an extremely high load to plug into a general lighting receptacle.

Marc I feel sorry for Curley :grin:
 
georgestolz said:
I'm not. I'd rather split up my circuits by expected use, and number of receptacles per circuit, as opposed to having to figure out square footage for a room or set of rooms.
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Yes, number per circuit would be fine, too.

The point I was trying to make was that it would be nice to have the NEC back us up on a common sense issue, since common sense is not always so common. More often the decisions are based upon the lowest cost of installation.
 
K8MHZ said:
Yes, number per circuit would be fine, too.

The point I was trying to make was that it would be nice to have the NEC back us up on a common sense issue,
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IMO, the NEC is using common sense on this issue.

Just because there may be 100 receptacles on one circuit doesn't mean there will be an appliance plugged into each of them. The number of appliances will be the same as it would be in any room(s).

It is much safer to allow an unlimited number of receptacles on a single circuit than to have the end user run cheap extension cords to accomodate the furniture layout.

Roger
 
It is much safer to allow an unlimited number of receptacles on a single circuit than to have the end user run cheap extension cords to accomodate the furniture layout.
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I guess I don't see where the total amount of receptacles installed has anything to do with the amount connected to a single circuit.

This subject just supports my earlier (on a different thread) statement that any electrician that follows the NEC to the letter is the worst electrician allowed by law.

Just because the NEC allows me to put 100 receptacles on a single circuit doesn't mean I ever would, but because the NEC allows it, the possibility remains that my boss could be underbid by a 'code minimum' contractor that would do something of the sort, and, (by pointing out the allowance in the NEC) possibly be able to convince a customer that it was prudent.

The above scenario is more likely to be a possibility in an area with a bad economy. The last I heard, Michigan has the worst in the nation so I may be more likely to encounter such a scenario than most.
 
K8MHZ said:
This subject just supports my earlier (on a different thread) statement that any electrician that follows the NEC to the letter is the worst electrician allowed by law.
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You may want to rethink that statement.

Explain why you think 100 or more on the same circuit all on one wall would create a hazzard. How many lamps or TV's are you going to have on this wall?

You can wire however you want to but, those who install per the code and win bids are winning the game and this doesn't mean they are cutting corners to do so.

Even though the NEC is the minimum, following it provides a very safe installation even though you may not like it.

If you want to buy a Cadilac go for it, for many an Impala or Crown Vic is all they need.

Roger
 
K8MHZ said:
This subject just supports my earlier (on a different thread) statement that any electrician that follows the NEC to the letter is the worst electrician allowed by law.
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That just supports my opinion that many electricians are full of themselves.
 
K8MHZ said:
This subject just supports my earlier (on a different thread) statement that any electrician that follows the NEC to the letter is the worst electrician allowed by law.
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Darn.

I guess I'm going to have to turn in my license now.

;)
 
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