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Electrical Wiring

Using 15 amp outlet on 20amp circuit hazard?

17 years ago

When I said what I planned to do at local big box store they said it wasn't to code and also that it was a fire hazard and I need to buy the overpriced 20 amp outlet.

Please correct me if I'm wrong but isn't it not only fine by code , I live in Michigan and it is done everywhere I seem to look past and presently, but also since a 20 amp device uses a different plug/outlet with one turned sideways or "T shaped" wouldn't this prove rather difficult?

I'm all for doing everything correctly but seeing as the outlets sole purpose is running the washer in the laundry room it seems unecessary to install a 20 amp receptacle.

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Comments (5)

remodeler_matt
17 years ago
You can install 15a outlets on a 20a circuit, by code. However, modern 20a outlets allow both types of plugs, so you can go either way. As long as your load is under 12a, no problem going with a 15a outlet.
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normel
17 years ago
If you have more than one receptacle on a 20A circuit, you may use 15A receptacles. A standard duplex receptacle is considered to be two receptacles. If you are using a single receptacle on a single strap (on a 20A circuit) then it must be a 20A receptacle.
The advice given by employees at the big box stores is rarely correct.
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Is this "installer" permitted to do electrical work in your location? In many areas, the wiring for this gate opener would have to be done by a licensed electrician and would have to be permitted and inspected by the building department. You should also be concerned about voltage drop. A 15 Amp circuit is allowed to use smaller wire than a 20 Amp circuit. The smaller wire causes more voltage drop under load, which can cause motors to overheat.
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If the microwave has a 15 AMP cord cap (plug) then a short 15 AMP rated extension cord will be fine. If the cord cap had one blade turned 90Â° then you'd need the 20 AMP cord. The circuit needs to have a 20 AMP breaker (and #12 wire) because of the microwave's rating and the fact it can be a continuous load (defined as 3 or more hours). The rules change at the receptacle. The microwave wouldn't have a 15 AMP cord cap on it if a #14 cord wasn't acceptable to use on it for at least a short distance.
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Its not legal if its just a single outlet not duplex receptacle you used ( one place to plug into vs. two places to plug into). Also watch out if your newer dishwasher has a deeper comparment than your older one making it very hard to unplug the cord (if the outlet is located directly behind the dishwasher) and should no longer be considered a disconnect. This does not apply though if you already have a disconnecting means within sight of the dishwasher usually found as a switch above the countertop or also could be located in the sink cabinet.
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The National Electrical Code, in article 210.21 (B) 1, 2, and 3, describes the requirements of single and multiple receptacles on a circuit. The use of multiple 15 amp receptacles on a 20 amp circuit is permitted in part 3. 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. Part of the UL listing for the 15 amp receptacles is that they are capable of feeding through the 20 amp circuit, the primary difference between 15 and 20 amp receptacles being the faceplate configuration. Receptacles rated higher than the circuit rating may not be used, so 20 amp receptacles are not permitted on a 15 amp circuit. -------------------------- Thanks to all for their contributions to this topic Be sure to check out the main FAQ page for more information.
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itsunclebill
17 years ago
The way the code is written it is permissable to use either a 15 or 20 AMP receptacle on a 120 volt 20 AMP circuit. The only issue with a 15 AMP receptacle is that there has to be more than 1 of them on a 20 AMP circuit. Since a duplex receptacle (standard receptacle)counts as 2 receptacles they are perfectly fine to use on a 20 AMP circuit.

Fact of the matter is that it is quite unusual to find much of anything except the occasional air conditioner or large microwave that requires a 120 volt 20 AMP receptacle in residential use.
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gio17vani
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks again guys. It is a double receptacle and there is also another outlet in the same room on the same circuit. I agree that you rarely find an accurate answer from those employees but what I find most disturbing is how quickly and how strongly they advise you what to do when they have no idea themselves.
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DavidR
17 years ago
what I find most disturbing is how quickly and how strongly they advise you what to do when they have no idea themselves.

As Charles Schultz once said (via Charlie Brown), "I'm always certain about things that are a matter of opinion."
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