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Friday, June 2, 2023

Question:

Hi Charlie. Can a 15A rated receptacle be installed on a 20A circuit? If so please explain why this would be permitted? Thanks in advance for your input, William Turner
A

Answer:

Hello William, and thank you for participating. Section 210.21(B)(3) provides guidance on this topic. Where there are two (2) or more receptacle connected to a branch circuit, the receptacle ratings listed in Table 210.21(B)(3) can be used. Installing 15A rated receptacles on a 20A rated branch circuit would be permitted. The blade configuration of a 15A rated receptacle will only allow for 15A or less loads to be plugged in, so no one (1) receptacle can be overloaded, even if connected to a 20A rated branch circuit.

ABOUT CQD: The Code Question of the Day (CQD) is NECA and ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR Magazine’s flagship National Electrical Code (NEC®) public forum for the industry, sponsored by EATON. The daily distribution of Q&A generates a lively dialogue and shares relative Code-based practical responses.

SUBMIT YOUR CODE QUESTION: Click here to submit a question to for inclusion in an upcoming edition of the Code Question of the Day, or email codequestion@necanet.org. 

CHARLIE TROUT: Charles M. Trout, better known as Charlie, was a nationally known NEC® expert and author. He served on several NEC® technical committees and is past chairman of CMP-12. In 2006 Charlie was awarded the prestigious Coggeshall Award for outstanding contributions to the electrical contracting industry, codes and standards development, and technical training. Even though Charlie passed away in October of 2015, his work continues in spirit. NECA continues to maintain this question forum for its many subscribers in memory and recognition of all his significant contributions to making the NEC what it is today.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE: Unless the question requests a response based on a specific edition, all answers are based on the latest edition of NFPA 70® National Electrical Code®.

This correspondence is not a formal interpretation of the NEC® and any responses expressed to the questions are opinions and do not necessarily represent the official position of NECA, NFPA, the NEC Correlating Committee any Code-making panel or other electrical technical committee. In addition, this correspondence is neither intended, nor should it be relied upon, to provide professional consultation or services. 

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