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No. You aren't allowed to install a device rated greater than the circuit is rated.
The 20 amp receptacle would allow you to plug in 20 amp loads (which is why it is different than a 15 amp receptacle), and plugging a 20 amp load into a 15 amp circuit would cause an overload and the 15 amp circuit breaker would trip.
ADDITION
This may still be open for discussion. According an electrician from RKO Electric, you can in fact install a 20 Amp GFCI receptacle on a 15 Amp breaker. Apparently, the breaker will trip well before the receptacle is able to pull 20 Amps of current into the line. Please see the following link from another website: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Electrical-Wiring-Home-1734/20-amp-GFCI-outlets.htm
2003 NEC Code Book says:
210-21(b)(1), p.70-42: A single receptacle on an individual branch circuit shall have an ampere rating of not less than that of the branch circuit. To me this indicates that if there's only one receptacle on the circuit, you can't have an outlet rated for less than the circuit, but it neither mentions nor prohibits oversizing the receptacle.
210-21(3), p.70-42: Where connected to a branch circuit supplying two or more receptacles or outlets, receptacle ratings shall conform to the values listed in table 210-21(b)(3)... which says: 15amp circuit, not over15amp receptacle (20amp circuit, 15 or20amp receptacle. In contrast to (b)(1) abopve, in the case of 2 or more receptacles on the same 15 or 20amp circuit, this now seems to place the restriction on the other end of the scale. Now it does limit how large the receptacle can be rated, while also setting the boundary for how small.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoAny devices connected to a 20 amp circuit should be using a #12 wire as a feeder and the outlet should be rated at 20 amps. The use of a 15 amp device on a 20 amp protected circuit will be putting the 15 amp device out of the specifications for the outlet. This rating of the outlet is approved by the UL or CSA testing labs to only use their recommended amperage for the device. To use a higher amperage could cause a failure of the outlet under extreme circumstances.
Yes you can put a 15 amp outlet on a 20 amp circuit. A twenty amp circuit should have a twenty amp circuit breaker and a minimum of 12 gauge wire. If you install a 15 amp outlet a 20 amp device won't plug into it. The plug is different. | | is a 15 amp plug and -| | is a 20 amp plug. The circuit breaker protects the wire, and if everyone who work, modified, or jacked around with the circuit obeyed the rules, you won't tear anything up. If a device pulls more than 15 amps it should not have a 15 amp plug. A sixty watt light uses 0.5 amps even if it is on a 15 amp circuit. Even if 100 amps are available a device only uses the amperage it needs.
Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.
Receptacles rated 15A are allowed on a 20A circuit if the circuit feeds more than one receptacle.
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As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.
Before you do any work yourself,
on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,
always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.
IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB
SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY
REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoYes, as long as the wire on that circuit is AWG #12 and the breaker is a 20 amp breaker. FYI, you can install a 15 amp outlet or 15 amp GFCI on a 20 amp circuit. That is perfectly fine and meets the National Electric Code.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoThis is controlled typically by local building codes but I believe it is 12.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoYes. But you shouldn't plug combined loads of more than 15amp into the receptacle.
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Can you use32amp circuit for a 15amp appliance?
If it is a 32-amp circuit you can use any appliance that takes less than 32 amps. That includes a 15-amp appliance. All appliances fed from that circuit must use 32 amps or less in total.
Why do you use a 30amp breaker on a ring circuit and a 20 amp on a radial circuit?
Answer for UK, Europe and countries running a 50 Hz supply service.A ring circuit has two routes to each outlet, a radial has only one.
What size amp circuit breaker should be used for 110 outlet?
The size breaker you use is determined by the size wire used in the circuit. If you use AWG #12/2 wire then use a 20 amp breaker. If you use AWG # 14/2 then use a 15 amp breaker.
Can you use 14-3 wire on a 20amp breaker?
No. A 20 amp breaker needs 12 gauge wire.
Do you use Parallel circuit at homes and schools?
Every outlet in a home or a school is in parallel with every other outlet in the same home or school, and also very possibly with every outlet in several other buildings nearby. Every time you plug something into an outlet, you're connecting that thing in parallel with every other electrical thing that's plugged into any of those others.
What size wire do you use if you are require to wire a 6-20amp 220volt outlet?
# 6 wire
Can you use 2 20amp circuit breakers to protect to 40amp?
yes, you can use but connect in parallel mode.
Can you use32amp circuit for a 15amp appliance?
If it is a 32-amp circuit you can use any appliance that takes less than 32 amps. That includes a 15-amp appliance. All appliances fed from that circuit must use 32 amps or less in total.
What happens if you use a 20amp fuse when the microwave oven calls for a 15amp fuse?
The fuse is there to protect the wiring in your home not the microwave. Using a larger fuse than required for the wiring causes a fire hazard. You can end up burning your home down. Use only the fuse recommended.
How can you find the ampage on an empty home fuse receptacle without calling an electrician?
A breaker box circuit fuse? Check the wire size. 14gauge use 15amp. 12 gauge use 20 amp.
What number wire do you use to wire a washing machine outlet?
A 2C #14 will be suffice but it should be the only device on the circuit. This is known as a dedicated circuit.
Can you use a none dedicated outlet for a space heater for a short period of time?
Yes, a space heater can be plugged into any outlet. Depending on what else is drawing current on the circuit will govern whether the circuit will trip or not. If the heater is plugged in and the circuit does not trip it can be left plugged as long as it is needed. If the heater trips after a few seconds, then try another outlet.
How much outlet to 20 amp breaker?
No. Receptacle is rated at 15 amps and the wire that feeds it will also rated at 15 amps. Since it will take 20 amps to trip the breaker the wire will be become overloaded. The above is true only if it is a single dedicated outlet. You can use 15A duplex outlets on a 20A circuit, ie: kitchen and dining room outlets per the National Electrical Code.
Can wall outlets be on a 15amp breaker in the bedroom or do they have to be 20amp?
Technically, they can be on a 15 amp breaker when you use 15 amp outlets. There is a difference. Be sure to check your local code (just call the city building department and tell them you have a code question). some cities require the bedroom outlets to be on an arc-fault breaker.
If you measure the current coming from a wall outlet in your house will it give the same reading the meter uses to compute your home energy use?
No. Current does not come from a wall outlet unless the wall outlet is part of a complete circuit.
How do you build a large joule thief circuit i want to be able to use it on a wall outlet?
look on discussion page for this for details
What size fuse do you use in 1989 Beretta fule pump?
20Amp
