![]() ![]() However, you shouldn’t overload the circuit. The NEC doesn’t provide any guidance on this issue. How Many 15 Amp Receptacles Can Be On A 20 Amp Circuit? As such, you can probably understand why the NEC allows technicians to use 15 and 20 Amp receptacles on a 20 Amp circuit. The configuration of their slots varies.īut you have to consider the fact that 15 Amp circuits have wires that can carry 20 Amps. Hunker has highlighted the fact that 15 and 20 Amp receptacles are not all that different on the inside. For the most part, you don’t have to worry about overloading your 15 Amp outlet by plugging a 20 Amp device into it. ![]() You cannot push a 15 Amp plug into a 20 amp receptacle.Ģ0Amp plugs are typically assigned to devices like air compressors and saws that require a lot of power. You can’t push a 20 Amp plug into a 15 Amp receptacle. Lowell has diagrams that show the stark differences between the two. This is because 15Amp plugs and 20Amp plugs are not the same. But this concern doesn’t have much merit. People worry that a consumer will plug an appliance rated for a 20Amp outlet into the 15Amp outlet, causing it to overload. However, such occurrences are rare.Įlectricians that are trying to explain why this configuration is acceptable normally highlight two important factors: 1). An appliance that should only draw 15 Amps can suffer a malfunction, causing it to pull more current than is safe. You cannot completely ignore this concern. Some people think that you ran the risk of overloading the outlet, causing it to overheat before starting a fire. What Happens When You Put A 15 Amp Receptacle on 20 Amp Circuit? I have also noticed that conventional household appliances have 15 Amp plugs, which explains the popularity of 15 Amp outlets on 20 Amp circuits. If you decide to add a 15 amp receptacle on a 20 Amp circuit, you’re not alone. Most American households have 15Amp receptacles on 20 Amp circuits. It has a table which shows that 15 and 20 Amp outlets can be added to a 20 Amp circuit. If you’re only concerned with the opinion of the NEC, it is quite clear on this issue. As far as the NEC is concerned, a duplex receptacle counts as two outlets. But if you have multiple receptacles on the 20 Amp circuit, they can be 15 Amps or 20 Amps. So a single receptacle on a 20Amp circuit should be 20 amps as well. To be more specific, the NEC says that the ampere rating of a single receptacle cannot be less than the ampere rating of the branch circuit on which it is installed, precluding certain exceptions. ![]() However, if your local code doesn’t contradict the NEC, you should do what the National Electric Code says.Īnd according to North Central Washington Home Inspections, the NEC permits electricians to add 15 amp outlets to 20 amp circuits if they are duplex receptacles. Technically speaking, your local code supersedes the NEC. NEC Code – It is Safe!īefore you concern yourself with the opinions of professional electricians, you should first find out what the National Electric Code says. You have to keep two factors in mind: 1). However, very few people support their arguments. Some experts have argued that the practice is dangerous. Is It Okay To Use A 15 Amp Receptacle On 20 Amp Circuit? But is the practice acceptable? More to the point, is it safe? Those are the questions this guide intends to answer. One such measure is to pair your circuit with a receptacle of the appropriate rating.Ĭommon sense suggests that an electrician should only use 20 Amp receptacles on their 20 Amp circuits.īut 20 Amp receptacles are more expensive than 15 Amp receptacles, which is why so many people are tempted to use 15 amp outlets on their 20 Amp circuit. You are better off taking measures to stop your circuit from overloading in the first place. But breakers do not always respond as required. Of course, most people trust their circuit breakers to intervene in such situations, tripping to prevent the continued flow of power before it can cause harm. If you force a circuit to carry more current than its rating permits, the excess heat generated will melt the wires, starting a fire. But a 20 amp plug cannot fit in a 15 amp outlet, to begin with. You can overload a 15 amp receptacle if you use it to power an appliance that draws 20 amps or more. They are designed to work with 15 amp receptacles. Can you use a 15 Amp receptacle on the 20 Amp Circuit? It doesn’t take much to overload a circuit. ![]()
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