PROJECTS ONLINE: DO YOU NEED A 15- OR 20-AMP RECEPTACLE?
Project Difficulty:
Moderate
Before you determine whether you need a 15-amp or 20-amp receptacle, you need to know what type of circuit it will be linked to. A 15-amp circuit is typically a 15-amp breaker protecting 14 gauge wire. A 20-amp circuit is a 20-amp breaker protecting a 12 gauge cable.
1.
15-Amp Receptacles
A 15-amp receptacle can be used on both a 15-amp circuit and a 20-amp circuit by code. The reason you can use a 15-amp receptacle on a 20-amp circuit is that it is assumed that no one particular load will exceed 15 amps. When a load gets close to 15 amps, however, the manufacturer normally requires their appliance to be put on a separate circuit.
2.
20-Amp Receptacles
A 20-amp receptacle, the one with the sideways slot as well as the vertical slot, can only be used on a 20-amp circuit, by code. 20-amp appliances have a sideways prong to prevent you from plugging it in to a 15-amp receptacle.
3.
Receptacle Sampling
Figure 1 shows some receptacles you may find in your home.
