Residental receptacle circuits

[dannyboy]

From 2008 NEC Questions and Answers April Part 2

Based on other calculation approaches we believe there is an error in your response.

A 15A circuit breaker has been commonly used with 13 receptacles because of this misunderstanding, but even with a 20A circuit breaker, you cannot load it 100% without it being rated for that use. Most residential panels do not have such breakers. Diversification of loads does not come into play till 10,000VA. See corrections below.

Q2. How many receptacles can be installed on a general-purpose branch circuit?

A2. The NEC doesn?t limit the number of GFCI-protected receptacle outlets on a general-purpose branch circuit in a dwelling unit [220.14(J)], but for other than dwelling units, the NEC limit is 13 receptacle outlets each at 180VA per mounting strap [220.14(I).

Circuit VA = Volts x Amperes

Circuit VA = 120V x 20A (16 Ampere trip) (15A CB = 12A trip)

Circuit VA = 2,400 VA (1920) (1440)

Number of Receptacles = 2,400 VA/180 VA

Number of Receptacles = 13 (10.6) (8)

 

[charlie b]

Thank you, Danny, but I think there are two things you need to know. First, as I presume this is intended to be a comment for Mike Holt to read, you should know that he very, very seldom reads or posts comments to this forum. If you wish to give him feedback related to one of his publications, you need to go to his home web page and look for the technical feedback link.

Secondly, the topic of whether the NEC actually has a limit on the number of receptacles on a given circuit has been the subject of several long debates on this forum. I, for one, do not agree with your statement. But if you wish to learn more about that debate, you?ll have to do a search for related threads.

I will not allow this thread to open up that debate again. But if anyone can do us the favor of finding the old threads and posting a link, I would be grateful. Regrettably, I haven?t the time to look myself.

 

[roger]

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Roger