Right now I have a single outlet stated as 20amp. I would like to replace it with a double outlet at 15amps. Is it okay to do this.. Please let me know
2007-09-04 10:46:54 · 13 answers · asked by Jr S 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
If the receptacle is the only receptacle on the circuit, it must have the ampere rating of the circuit. NEC 210.21B1 You can replace the single 20 with a duplex (double) 20 in this case.
If there are other receptacles on the circuit, it can be a 15 or 20 amp receptacle. NEC 210.21B3
I hope that helps.
2007-09-05 03:24:00 · answer #1 · answered by John himself 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hmm, this one brings back a memory. Near a window I had a single 20 amp outlet 110v which was on a dedicated line, and was intended for an air conditioner. Since central air was installed the need for this circuit had been eliminated. A new need was there though. I have a love for my home entertainment system and needed extra outlets for it. I had an electrician convert the outlet to 2 double outlets. He replaced the breaker with a 15 amp breaker, and used 2 15 amp double outlets, but used the same wire. The breaker was replaced because he used 15 amp outlets.
If the purpose of the outlet is changing then it is OK to downgrade the outlet as long as you downgrade the breaker too. If the purpose is not changing then you need an electrician to look at it.
2007-09-06 15:55:28 · answer #2 · answered by Charles C 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Once again John is almost right !
He has the right articles from the NEC,just not able to understand the scope.
John you need to think what do you put on a washer receptacle,duplex receptacle or single receptacle?.A duplex may be 15 Amp,A single must be a 20 amp
A single receptacle,THAT MEANS ONLY 1 PLUG OPENING,shall have an ampere rating not less than that of the branch circuit.
Duplex receptacles rated 15 amps can be used on 15 & 20 amp circuits even if it's the only one on the circuit.
If you want you can buy a 20 amp duplex receptacle if if makes you feel better.They usually cost around $2.00 each for a standard 20 Amp receptacle at Home Depot.
E-mail me and I will gladly supply a copy of my License!
2007-09-05 12:52:21 · answer #3 · answered by greg w 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's perfectly fine as long as you change the coressponding breaker to 15 amps as well. It's also a good idea to change the other outlets on the circuit to. However this may cause some heavy appliances to trip the breaker more often.
You do NOT want a 15 amp outlet on a 20 amp breaker. (15 amp outlet installed off of a 20 amp breaker) would be very dangerous because the circuit breaker might not trip even if the maximum amperage rating of the outlet was exceeded--serious fire/shock hazard.
The big question is why would you want to do that anyway?
Dude the IDIOTS they gave me a thumbs down don't know anything about how electricity works. You don't have to trust my opinion just do a search or use common sense. It's obvious some here don't have any.
If you reverse the situation, 15 amp breaker with a 20 amp plug is a much safer situation.
2007-09-04 10:56:42 · answer #4 · answered by Parercut Faint 7 · 4⤊ 4⤋
That rating means that a plug from an appliance that draws 20 amps could fit into the receptacle (pins of plug are not parallel, one is at right angle to the other). It also assures you that the wiring to it can safely handle 20 amps.
If you want to use it to put in a double outlet that can be used for less than 20 amps (plug pins are parallel to each other) that is perfectly safe. Note that the old appliance plug will not fit into that new 15 amp receptacle.
2007-09-04 11:32:05 · answer #5 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
the important factor this is what the gauge of twine you have. in case you have 14gauge twine and the breaker is a 20 amp you have a hearth risk. you will ought to interchange the breaker with a 15 amp. if so use 15 amp GFCIs. in case you have 12 gauge twine then use 20 amp GFCIs.
2016-10-19 22:14:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might just as well take the time to do it right the first time, outlets don't cost much, so replace the one you have with the right one, a 15 amp will work but that isn't what the electrician put in, If they could save money by using lesser amp service they would but there a reasons why they don't do things like that. It is for your safety as well as others, it's not to make a good name for themselves, it to protect you.
2007-09-04 10:57:39 · answer #7 · answered by mr.obvious 6 · 2⤊ 4⤋
If everything was interchangeable there would be no need for numbers. Just get a 20 amp rated duplex outlet it was designed and approved for twenty amp circuits. Never try to substitute any thing for more than its intended use.
2007-09-04 15:04:18 · answer #8 · answered by petethen2 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Yes you can! Be sure the voltage is 110 and not 220.
2007-09-04 15:09:12 · answer #9 · answered by len b 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Ya Papercutfaint has the best answer. I could not have answered any better myself.
2007-09-04 13:46:34 · answer #10 · answered by Jacob 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋