Receptacle argument

[The Iceman]

Im having problems convincing my partner at work that 15A and 20A receptacles are all 20A the only difference is the face plate. Am I wrong? Does anyone know of a website, or have any information I could print out and take in to work to prove, or disprove my point.

 

[iwire]

I think the only way to prove it will be to buy a 15 and 20 amp duplex of the same manufacturer and grade, then dismantle them.

 

[480sparky]

My guess is that they are, but that is just my opinion.

My thinking is why would a manufacturer make, store, track, etc. two complete different sets of parts for something so small? Even if there was a dollar savings in 15a parts compared to 20a components, the difference would be miniscule to say the least.

So if I was an outfit like Leviton, P&S, or Eagle, it would make more economic sense to use 20a components due to the cost of trying to maintain more inventory.

Even 30a dryer and 50a range recepts are so similar it's spooky.

 

[iwire]

My thinking is why would a manufacturer make, store, track, etc. two complete different sets of parts for something so small?

My thought as well and add to that the 15 amp duplex must be able to handle 20 amp feed through when used on 20 amp circuits.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I believe this came up before and I believe it was Larry Fine who responded by saying that the 15 and 20 amp receptacles were exactly the same internally.

Forgive if I am wrong, Larry.

 

[frenchelectrican]

Dennis yeah ., Larry did say that but i dont rember which tread and it was posted sometime back with this info.

Merci, marc

 

[bkludecke]

If they are "exactly" the same inside why would the manufacturer spend the money to have two different face configurations, packaging, pricing etc. I believe that the 20amp units are a bit more HD, it just makes sense. I must admit that I am not much of a conspiricy theorist (at least in this area), I don't believe the people in charge of all that are capable of thinking that far ahead.

 

[nakulak]

mike holt describes this on one of his dvd's. must be the one containing the article on switches, but I'm not sure. If I find it I'll post the title. However, I think this DVD was made prior to the influx of "made in China" devices. I would not be so sure that it is the case with those items. My recollection was that Mike had Leviton's or Hubbels in the video.