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'nother electrical question...

I

imported_goku

Diamond Member
Ok, I've got this down.. You can't put a 20 amp outlet on a 30amp circuit with a 30 amp receptical let alone by its self because if you were to put enough devices on the 20 amp circuit, you could very well put more current through the outlet than it's designed for and the breaker won't trip, right? So thats why if you have 20 amp recepticals you put them on 20 amp circuits. Well I have some questions.
1. Why are you allowed to put 15amp recepticals on a 20 amp circuit (most outlets are 12guage anyways).
2. What differs between a 20 amp receptical and a 15amp receptical is the 20amp has a little "t" on one of the slits. So you've got two slits going down, and on one of the slits, comes out another line making a 3 way crossroads so to speak. So, couldn't one draw 20 amps with a 15Amp plug? (Nema 5-20R with Nema 5-15P drawing more than 15 amps)
 
I'm more interested in the fact that you were able to post a semi-worthwhile thread. Sorry to threadcrap.
 
Buy the parts at an electrical warehouse. Ask your questions there. You don't want a fire.

I hope this isn't a trick.
 
The thing that determines the size of the circuit is the breaker, wire size, and outlet. All should match.
If you're asking why can you plug in a 15 amp appliance into a 20 amp outlet, well, I don't see how this would be a problem. You can't pull more amps this way then the circuit can bear.

BTW-there are even larger amperage rated outlets that allow you to plug a 15 amp appliance into it.
 
amp rating of a circuit has nothing to do with low end of what you can plug into it.

you could plug something that draws .1 a at 120 or 220 volt, it's gonna be fine and happy....
 
In the US, if you only have one outlet (a duplex receptable counts as 2 outlets) on a 20amp breaker with 12ga wire, you must use a 20a receptacle. If you have multiple receptables on a 20a breaker with 12ga wire, it is acceptable to do so.

What I just read on another board says that you can plug a 15a plug into a 20a receptacle because part of the UL specs is to allow the 15a device to be able to draw power through the 20a receptacle.
 
Originally posted by: Squisher
The thing that determines the size of the circuit is the breaker, wire size, and outlet. All should match.
If you're asking why can you plug in a 15 amp appliance into a 20 amp outlet, well, I don't see how this would be a problem. You can't pull more amps this way then the circuit can bear.

BTW-there are even larger amperage rated outlets that allow you to plug a 15 amp appliance into it.
Click to expand...

Ugh, I don't think you guys are understanding my question. You can plug a device with a 15amp plug into a 20a receptical, problem is though, couldn't you draw more than 15 amps on that plug since you're on a 20a receptical with a 20 amp circuit?

Is it against code to put two 30a outlets on a 60amp circuit? I have an electrician working for me but the things he suggests gets me worried...

Also why is it a safety hazard to plug a power strip into a power strip? I always heard it was a fire hazard to 'overload' an outlet but.... if you don't draw more than the outlet is rated for, how is it a firehazard then?
 
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