Single receptacles on branch ckts

[RatherBeFishin]

Don’t see anything clear in the code for installing a single(s) receptacle on a branch ckt. Do the same rules apply like in 210.21 B 3 that if there are more than one receptacle on a 20 amp ckt you can have 15 amp receptacle or 20 a receptacle on that ckt. So in this case a single or multiple single 15 amp receptacles on a a 20 amp circuit as long as there are 2 devices on that ckt is fine?

Also, is a single receptacle really only designed for a dedicated ckt like a fridge or microwave or is it acceptable on a branch ckt where you want to limit any other loads from being plugged in?

 

[david luchini]

Don’t see anything clear in the code for installing a single(s) receptacle on a branch ckt. Do the same rules apply like in 210.21 B 3 that if there are more than one receptacle on a 20 amp ckt you can have 15 amp receptacle or 20 a receptacle on that ckt. So in this case a single or multiple single 15 amp receptacles on a a 20 amp circuit as long as there are 2 devices on that ckt is fine?

Yes, that's correct. You can have two or more single 15A receptacles on a 20A branch circuit, or one single 15A receptacle along with other outlets on a 20A branch circuit. But you cannot have only one 15A single receptacle as the only outlet on a 20A branch circuit.

Also, is a single receptacle really only designed for a dedicated ckt like a fridge or microwave or is it acceptable on a branch ckt where you want to limit any other loads from being plugged in?

You can put single receptacles anywhere you want.

 

[infinity]

So in this case a single or multiple single 15 amp receptacles on a a 20 amp circuit as long as there are 2 devices on that ckt is fine?

That's correct and one 15 amp duplex would be two receptacles which would also be permitted.

 

[RatherBeFishin]

The only thing that doesn’t make sense is that a 15 amp duplex is rated for 20 amps pass through, I don’t know that a single receptacle is rated Although a single 20 amp receptacle can accept a 15 or 20 amp plug.

Yes, that's correct. You can have two or more single 15A receptacles on a 20A branch circuit, or one single 15A receptacle along with other outlets on a 20A branch circuit. But you cannot have only one 15A single receptacle as the only outlet on a 20A branch circuit.

You can put single receptacles anywhere you want.

I feel like it’s just a much more confusing way of saying unless it’s a ckt serving one receptacle for one load then you can have a multiple 15 amp duplex receptacles or multiple single 15 amp
receptacles or a mix of both on a 20 amp circuit. Am I right? Or maybe I’m over analyzing the code again lol

 

[augie47]

You seem to have it correct. Table 210.21(B)(3) summarizes it also.

 

[RatherBeFishin]

You seem to have it correct. Table 210.21(B)(3) summarizes it also.

Yeah that’s the code reference I was talking about. Just wasn’t sure about what they meant by receptacles if it meant single duplex or both

 

[readydave8]

The only thing that doesn’t make sense is that a 15 amp duplex is rated for 20 amps pass through, I don’t know that a single receptacle is rated

All the single receps I've seen only have one lug per, so would be no pass through

 

[infinity]

Yeah that’s the code reference I was talking about. Just wasn’t sure about what they meant by receptacles if it meant single duplex or both

It can be either. A duplex is two receptacles, two single receptacles is two receptacles.

 

[RatherBeFishin]

Ok, not to beat a dead horse but everyone agrees that the code saying two or more receptacles they basically mean either a duplex or two singles basically any type of friggin’ receptacle?

Whether it be 10 single receptacles or 5 duplexes all of which being 15 amp on 20 a ckt..

My theory in this is that even a single 15 amp receptacle is the same guts as a 20 amp duplex and that if you only plug a load of not more than 12 amps in that receptacle will not over heat and trip the ckt.

This concludes my concern on this matter. Any input has been appreciated

 

[augie47]

Not sure how it effects your thoughts, but note the 12 amp load limitation {210.21(B)(2)} only apples to a circuit suppliying two or more receptacles or outlets. The Code has no problems with you having a 15 amp load ona 15 amp SINGLE receptacle or 20 amp load on a 20 amp SINGLE receptacle.

 

[infinity]

Ok, not to beat a dead horse but everyone agrees that the code saying two or more receptacles they basically mean either a duplex or two singles basically any type of friggin’ receptacle?

That is correct, the bold is two receptacles.

 

[RatherBeFishin]

Not sure how it effects your thoughts, but note the 12 amp load limitation {210.21(B)(2)} only apples to a circuit suppliying two or more receptacles or outlets. The Code has no problems with you having a 15 amp load ona 15 amp SINGLE receptacle or 20 amp load on a 20 amp SINGLE receptacle.

Yes for a dedicated circuit, you can load the ckt to 100% if it’s non continuous. Branch circuits, cord and plug appliances shouldn’t have a rating of more than 80% for that particular device.