I seem to think it's OK since it's LESS than the 20A, or will I be getting myself in trouble? Thanks.
2007-07-30 03:08:29 · 8 answers · asked by MMike 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
as long as it`s not on a dedicated circuit.
you can use 14 gauge on a branch of a 20 amp circuit and 15 amp receptacles as long as the primary wiring is 12 gauge.
just because someone has done something for years does not make it right.
2007-07-30 03:20:18 · answer #1 · answered by RUSSELLL 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Actually, it should be done the other way around. The outlet should carry more current than the breaker, so the first one to "blow' will be the breaker.
You can wire these but you do realize the outlet will fry long before the breaker will kick.
Think, if you draw 15A everthing is fine. If you draw 19 A the outlet cannot handle this so it will probably melt and yet the breaker is fine ( on the current draw alone). Once the wire heats up enough the breaker will kick but not before the outlet is damaged.... ... maybe the wire also
This defies the whole purpose of the breaker .. .to protect the line, outlets / switches and other devices connect to those very lines. the breaker has to kick first to perform this task properly - to protect the line & devices.
A 20 A outlet should be connected to a 15 A breaker
2007-07-30 13:04:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You have it backwards. If you wire a 15 amp rated receptacle into a 20amp protected circuit, the receptacle will not be rated to accept the load which the breaker will handle. If you wanted to put a 20 amp receptacle onto a 15 amp protected circuit, you would not have an issue with safety.
The standing rule is that all components on any circuit must be rated as high or HIGHER than the breaker itself is rated.
2007-07-30 12:13:55 · answer #3 · answered by acermill 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The question that you pose is interesting. It is okay to wire in with a couple of cautions. A 20 circuit breaker will handle about 2350- 2400 watts before it trips. When the wattage exceeds the circuit breakers design, it is designed to trip or to disconnect the power source. Conversely, the outlet will handle about 1800 watts that is it's rating. Keep in mind that 1800 watts is 18 - 100 watt light bulbs. You see my point. If you don't exceed the wattage recommended for the device (outlet) your fine. If you exceed the wattage rating the device will heat up, (not good) and eventually fail.
Usually a receptacle circuit will encompass 4-5 of these outlets tied together in parallel which means if one of the outlets fail, the others will keep working. The rating of 15 Amp in such residential application is fairly common. I found a link below to assist you in your calculations.
Good Luck,
Jim
2007-07-30 10:52:59 · answer #4 · answered by jimsg718 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I better clarify my answer. You will need 12 GA wire for a 20 amp circuit. I should not have assumed you knew that.
Russ woke me up with his correct answer. If that receptacle is the only receptacle on that circuit, it must be a 20 amp receptacle.
If there are two or more receptacles on the circuit, they may be 15 amp receptacles.
Thanks Russ.
Just for information for everyone. Nothing with a 15 amp plug on it is going to draw more than 15 amps unless it is broke. UL or another agency will not list something that draws more amps than it's rated plug. That is why the 15 amp receptacles are allowed. An appliance that draws 20 amps will have a 20 amp plug on it and that will not fit into a 15 amp receptacle.
2007-07-30 10:16:42 · answer #5 · answered by John himself 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No! Do not. Your wiring will be 14 gauge for all your 15 amp circuits. Because this size wire is so common the price is significantly lower than the 12 gauge needed for 20 amps. Therefore it is unlikely at the least (impossible really) for a contractor to have wired these 15 amp circuits with wire that will handle 20 amps. A 20 amp breaker feeding 14 gauge wire is not to code. Code is law,mainly for safety.
You may need to wire a separate circuit for the higher load.
2007-07-30 11:03:12 · answer #6 · answered by len b 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say a lot depends on the lead wire going into the receptacle. 12 guage wire is good for 20 amps while 14 guage is only good for 15 amps. Normal receptacles are only 15 amps unless you have an upgrade. I've been hooking up 15 amp receptacles to 20 amp wire for years.
2007-07-30 10:28:00 · answer #7 · answered by Sal-}:0) 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Absolutely NOT!!!
The breaker won't trip if you exceed 15A, and the receptacle can melt and start a house fire.
Example - plug in a vacuum cleaner and and iron - you'll pull 20A through the 15A receptacle.
Spend the extra few dollars and get a 20A receptacle.
2007-07-30 10:40:37 · answer #8 · answered by Mike 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋