20 Amp Wire 15 Amp Outlet

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20 amp wire 15 amp outlet. Andy the national electrical code in article 210 21 b 1 2 and 3 describes the requirements of single and multiple receptacles on a circuit. 15 amp outlets are not designed for loads greater than 15. Most household electrical receptacles have a 15 amp rating but they connect to a 20 amp circuit. You neglected to note one important thing the country you live in.

I added an outlet to a bathroom. I checked the circuit and it is a 20 amp circuit. The code also prohibits installation of a 20 amp ground fault interrupter receptacle on a 15 amp circuit. A 240 volt plug is the same as a 220 volt plug and it s for a larger appliance that needs more power than most household devices.

The reasoning for 15 20 amp receptacles on 15 20 circuits is this. A 20a receptacle will have one slot that is turned sideways or t. A duplex receptacle is considered as multiple receptacles and is therefore permissible to use as the single or one of several multiple type receptacles on the circuit. To install a 20 amp 220 volt outlet you need 12 awg cable with two hot wires and a ground.

Wire gauge and current limits including skin depth and strength. A 15 amp breaker on the other hand will trip before 14 gauge wire overheats. A 20 amp breaker does not adequately protect a 15 amp outlet. With 15 amp or 20 amp outlets and at least 12 gauge wire on a 20 amp circuit breaker the weakest element is the breaker by design.

You can use a device that has a 15 amp plug with either a 15 or 20 amp receptacle. Because it has even less chance of overheating 12 gauge wire is also acceptable on a 15 amp circuit. 15a and 20a receptacles have different pin configurations. The use of multiple 15 amp receptacles on a 20 amp circuit is permitted.

This is important because the applicable regulations differ from country to country. No neutral wire is required. A plug is an object located on one end of a power cord that connects an electrical device to a receptacle. I will assume that you live in the us because the question uses terms that are commonly used.

Even in the very unlikely event that you have 20 amp wiring the appliances plugged into the 15 amp outlet need to be protected with 15 amp breakers.