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94greenbandit
07-07-2011, 10:16 AM
Why would someone tell me that for outlets I can use a 20Amp breaker with 12g wire and then say I can use a 15amp outlet. I didn't realize about the outlets until I get home. Is this bad or can I use the outlets as is. This is for a bedroom

Want_Notch
07-07-2011, 11:07 AM
If you have a 20A breaker your NEED 20A outlets

05caddyext
07-07-2011, 11:08 AM
Sure you could do that. Should you? No. Here's why. If you use a 20amp breaker with 15 amp outlets, you could potentially overload the outlets on that circuit and never blow the breaker because they don't match. It would work though, power is power. But I highly recommend you do not do this.

nismodave
07-07-2011, 11:44 AM
Wrong, 15amp outlets are acceptable for 20amp circuits, as long as the SINGLE OUTLET and Breaker are not dedicated. I.E. Microwave, Fridge, Etc.



http://ecmweb.com/nec/code_qa/009ecmCQfig3.jpg

WickedSix
07-07-2011, 12:17 PM
would it be more apt to say you shouldn't use a device on any one outlet in that scenario that exceeds the outlets rating? whereas you could run two 10 amp appliances on two different outlets in parrallel on that 20 amp circuit?

94greenbandit
07-07-2011, 01:54 PM
This is in a bedroom that might have a reading lamp and a alarm clock. Can't see much more being down there, no appliances for sure

TheRX7Project
07-07-2011, 03:40 PM
You're fine. As stated above unless it's a dedicated outlet you only need 15A outlets. I promise you, the outlets in your kitchen and bathroom are 15A outlets wired to 20A circuits with 12ga wire.

TheRX7Project
07-07-2011, 03:41 PM
Wrong, 15amp outlets are acceptable for 20amp circuits, as long as the SINGLE OUTLET and Breaker are not dedicated. I.E. Microwave, Fridge, Etc.



http://ecmweb.com/nec/code_qa/009ecmCQfig3.jpg

FWIW, when I was in the trade, both the companies I worked for used 15A outlets for the fridge and microwave, on dedicated 20A circuits.

94greenbandit
07-07-2011, 03:56 PM
Thanks for the help guys