Switches and amperages

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I_am_STILL_learning

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Electrician
I have been told that the difference between a 15A 125V receptacle and a 20A 125V receptacle is only the way that the prongs are laid out. Thus, more than one 15A receptacle can be used on a 20A circuit.

So, what about 15A switches? Is it a violation to use a 15A switch on a 20A circuit?

Also, I was thinking about using a SPDT switch for lighting. The smaller switches are rated for 6A or 10A. The regular toggle switch is more expensive. Thus, I would like to know if I need to spend the extra money to match the Amps or if I could get away with a smaller amperage switch. The load is one closet light.

Thank you for your help.
 
I_am_STILL_learning said:
I have been told that the difference between a 15A 125V receptacle and a 20A 125V receptacle is only the way that the prongs are laid out. Thus, more than one 15A receptacle can be used on a 20A circuit.

So, what about 15A switches? Is it a violation to use a 15A switch on a 20A circuit?
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A 15 amp switch is permitted on a 20 amp circuit. Most standard dimmers are only rated for 600W and they're used on 15 and 20 amp circuits all of the time.
 
480sparky said:
404.14(A).
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I think an important thing to emphasize with this is the difference between using something at/below it's rating vs. protecting something with an OCPD at/below it's rating. Many often think the latter is a general rule that applies to pretty much anything, but in fact only applies to a few things (most common example besides conductors is panelboards 408.36). 110.3 applies generally, but that is the former and doesn't specifically require ocpd protection.
 
GoldDigger said:
Which means that you probably should not use a 15A switch on a 20A circuit if it is feeding a 20A receptacle and you do not know what the eventual load will be.
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Yes.

But... this is a closet light, so it would have to be a 2000W light to draw more than 15A and if you have a 2000W light in your closet, you need to rethink what you do in there... 😱
 
480sparky said:
That type of lighting doesn't need to be turned off at all.

Um............ er............... at least................... that's what I've been told. Yeah. That's it. I was told that.
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That depends on which stage the plants are in . . . so I've heard. :rolleyes:
 
To set everyone's mind at peace. I am not planning on putting anything like suggested above in the closet. :) I would like to install a SPDT switch so that I could have the closet light on, off, or set to turn on with the outdoor photo-eye so that the LED closet light would act as a night light. So, probably will be looking at 13W or less. Thankfully, the 6A switch should be able to take that. :)

Thanks for your help.
 
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