answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Kitchens tend to have a number of higher amperage appliances so you don't want to use the rule of thumb which would be 8 per 20A circuit. One typical trick would be a separate 20A circuit for things like microwaves or toaster ovens and then stagger several circuits along back-splash areas so you can easily reach a separate circuit if you have a number of appliances in the same area. You should always have separate circuits for major appliances like refrigerators and dish washers.

According to the National Electrical Code book (NEC) each receptacle is calculated at 180 VA. A 20A circuit at 120V would be 2400 VA. Divide 2400 VA by 180 VA = 13.33 receptacles per 20a circuit (13 receptacles), but the above poster is correct in saying that the more circuits in a kitchen the better. The NEC requires at least two small appliance branch circuits in a kitchen.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

19 - 20 amps is too much. 16 amps is the maximum safe load for a circuit protected by a 20 amp breaker. Of course, its all safe, since the breaker will trip to prevent an overload from starting a fire. But current above 16 amps will eventually (sometimes after several hours even) trip the breaker.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago
Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.The number of outlets on a 20A circuit will vary depending on intended usage.

For example in a kitchen where there are lots of appliances you may have some dedicated outlets for the refrigerator, one for microwave, etc.

You may also have some general purpose outlets around the counter top and stagger them so that alternating outlets are from each of two different 20 A circuits.

For places like general purpose use in a living room or bedroom you may have 8 outlets on a circuit. As a rule of thumb I would never put more than 8.

A different opinion

In a home or other in a residential setting there are no limitations on the number of outlets that can be placed on a circuit. However such circuits should be laid out to cover no more than 500 square feet in area.

<><><>

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.


Outlets don't take up any amperage, just the things plugged into them, though, there may be rules by the local government as to the number of outlets.
Nominally 8 to 10 in a typical application for general residential use. If you know the loads that are planned take 80% of 20 amps = 16 amps and only install enough outlets to service your known loads.

I'm not disagreeing with the previous answer as good rule of thumb, but the NEC allows 13 receptacles on a 20 amp circuit in commercial or industrial installations. There is no limit in residential installations because it is simply an absurd consideration that you would have that many on a circuit.
8 to 10. Local norms may vary. If you have dedicated appliances you would only want a single appliance on a circuit.

The National Electrical Code considers each strap with 1, 2, or 3 receptacles on it (single, duplex, or triplex receptacle) at 180 VA.

120 volts x 20 amps = 2400 VA

2400 VA / 180 VA = 13.333 receptacles

You can install 13 receptacles on a 20 amp circuit.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

8y ago

Could you clarify the question please.

You can't just upgrade the breaker. Its calculated on wire size and other things. You'll have to run different wire if you want to up your amps.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

AWG # 12

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: How many outlets can there be on one 20 amp circuit?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

Can you control 10 outlets with one 20 amp GFCI outlet on one 20 amp circuit?

Yes. I know of no limits to how many regular receptacles (outlets) you can "piggy back" onto one GFCI receptacle. However, in commercial and industrial construction there are limits to how many receptacles can be placed on any one circuit. These limits in the United States and according to the NEC are: 10 receptacles on a 15 amp circuit and 13 receptacles on a 20 amp circuit.


Can you use a 15 amp 110 outlet on a 20 amp circuit as I am replacing my old outlets with new duplex ones and realized that three of my Kitchen outlets are on one 20 amp breaker?

Yes, you can use lower amperage outlets - the problem would come if you were trying to run a 20 amp appliance on a 15 amp circuit or plug a 20 amp appliance into a 15 amp outlet. It would be better, though, as some kitchen appliances could exceed 15 amps (toaster ovens, some coffee makers, electric griddles, etc.) could try to draw more than the 15 amps your outlets are designed for. Perhaps you could get some 20 amp outlets and use those 15's in a hallway or something less likely to have high amperage draw.


In The USA How many outlets can be hooked up on a 20 amp circuit?

Rule of thumb is about 8 unless it is a dedicated circuit. The NEC has no requirements on the number of receptacles that can be on a circuit in a residential setting. The circuit should be layed out to only cover 500 sq. feet. A single room of 500 sq. feet, you could put as many receptacle as you want on one circuit.


How many oulets in a 15 amp breaker circuit?

Branch circuit loading In Canada the CEC states that there shall be not more than 12 outlets on any 2-wire branch circuit. These outlets shall be considered to be rated at not less than 1 amp per outletWhere the connected load is known, the number of outlets shall be permitted to exceed 12, provided that the load current does not exceed 80% of the rating of the over current device protecting the circuit. For example on a 15 amp breaker, 15 x 80% = 12 amps, hence the standard of 12 outlets on any 2-wire branch circuit.On a 20 amp breaker, 20 x 80% = 16 amps. So from a 20 amp breaker this allows 16 outlets on a 2-wire branch circuit as long as the outlets are not considered to be rated at less than 1 amp per outlet.The definition of an outlet is a point in the wiring installation at which current is taken to supply utilisation equipment. What this means is that if a light switch and a fixture outlet were on the same 2-wire branch circuit they would be subtracted from the maximum count of 12 receptacle outlets on the circuit which would leave 10.If the light fixture draws 3 amps plus the switch outlet, then the total circuit outlet count would be reduced to 8 receptacle outlets (12 &ndash; 3 &ndash; 1 = 8).On a standard specification home most electricians will wire one circuit per room, the outlet count usually never reaches the maximum of 12 outlets.


Can you connect two fans and six outlets to one 20 amp breaker?

No, the six outlets are not amperage rated to be connected to a 20 amp circuit. A normal 15 amp receptacle can not be protected by a 20 amp breaker. Change the 20 amp breaker to a 15 amp breaker. This combination will pass code regulations. =============== In the United States, in a home, you can connect two hard-wired (not cord and plug connected) fans and six receptacles (outlets) to a single 20 amp circuit provided the 2 fans do not draw more than 10 amps together. If they are cord and plug connected, this limitation on the fans does not apply. In commercial and industrial installations, power to hard-wired equipment is provided on different circuits than receptacles.

Related questions

Can you control 10 outlets with one 20 amp GFCI outlet on one 20 amp circuit?

Yes. I know of no limits to how many regular receptacles (outlets) you can "piggy back" onto one GFCI receptacle. However, in commercial and industrial construction there are limits to how many receptacles can be placed on any one circuit. These limits in the United States and according to the NEC are: 10 receptacles on a 15 amp circuit and 13 receptacles on a 20 amp circuit.


An ordinary outlet should be calculated what?

For a home, to calculate the amount of receptacle outlets on a 15 amp circuit, each receptacle outlet should be calculated as not drawing more than one amp each.


Can you use a 15 amp 110 outlet on a 20 amp circuit as I am replacing my old outlets with new duplex ones and realized that three of my Kitchen outlets are on one 20 amp breaker?

Yes, you can use lower amperage outlets - the problem would come if you were trying to run a 20 amp appliance on a 15 amp circuit or plug a 20 amp appliance into a 15 amp outlet. It would be better, though, as some kitchen appliances could exceed 15 amps (toaster ovens, some coffee makers, electric griddles, etc.) could try to draw more than the 15 amps your outlets are designed for. Perhaps you could get some 20 amp outlets and use those 15's in a hallway or something less likely to have high amperage draw.


How many outlets are allowed on a 240 v branch circuit?

Branch circuit loading In Canada the CEC states that there shall be not more than 12 outlets on any 2-wire branch circuit. These outlets shall be considered to be rated at not less than 1 amp per outlet Where the connected load is known, the number of outlets shall be permitted to exceed 12, provided that the load current does not exceed 80% of the rating of the over current device protecting the circuit. For example on a 15 amp breaker, 15 x 80% = 12 amps, hence the standard of 12 outlets on any 2-wire branch circuit. On a 20 amp breaker, 20 x 80% = 16 amps. So from a 20 amp breaker this allows 16 outlets on a 2-wire branch circuit as long as the outlets are not considered to be rated at less than 1 amp per outlet. The definition of an outlet is a point in the wiring installation at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment. What this means is that if a light switch and a fixture outlet were on the same 2-wire branch circuit they would be subtracted from the maximum count of 12 receptacle outlets on the circuit which would leave 10. If the light fixture draws 3 amps plus the switch outlet, then the total circuit outlet count would be reduced to 8 receptacle outlets (12 -- 3 -- 1 = 8). On a standard specification home most electricians will wire one circuit per room, the outlet count usually never reaches the maximum of 12 outlets.


How many lights off one switch?

ten lights per curcuitCircuit loadingIn Canada there shall be not more that 12 outlets on any 2 wire branch circuit. Such outlets shall be considered to be rated at not more that 1 amp per outlet. Where the connected load is known, the number of outlets may exceed 12 providing the load current does not exceed 80 % of the rating of the over current device protecting the circuit.


In The USA How many outlets can be hooked up on a 20 amp circuit?

Rule of thumb is about 8 unless it is a dedicated circuit. The NEC has no requirements on the number of receptacles that can be on a circuit in a residential setting. The circuit should be layed out to only cover 500 sq. feet. A single room of 500 sq. feet, you could put as many receptacle as you want on one circuit.


How many outlets can you have on one circuit?

Depends on what the outlets are controlling, size of the wire, and size of the breaker.


How many oulets in a 15 amp breaker circuit?

Branch circuit loading In Canada the CEC states that there shall be not more than 12 outlets on any 2-wire branch circuit. These outlets shall be considered to be rated at not less than 1 amp per outletWhere the connected load is known, the number of outlets shall be permitted to exceed 12, provided that the load current does not exceed 80% of the rating of the over current device protecting the circuit. For example on a 15 amp breaker, 15 x 80% = 12 amps, hence the standard of 12 outlets on any 2-wire branch circuit.On a 20 amp breaker, 20 x 80% = 16 amps. So from a 20 amp breaker this allows 16 outlets on a 2-wire branch circuit as long as the outlets are not considered to be rated at less than 1 amp per outlet.The definition of an outlet is a point in the wiring installation at which current is taken to supply utilisation equipment. What this means is that if a light switch and a fixture outlet were on the same 2-wire branch circuit they would be subtracted from the maximum count of 12 receptacle outlets on the circuit which would leave 10.If the light fixture draws 3 amps plus the switch outlet, then the total circuit outlet count would be reduced to 8 receptacle outlets (12 &ndash; 3 &ndash; 1 = 8).On a standard specification home most electricians will wire one circuit per room, the outlet count usually never reaches the maximum of 12 outlets.


How many outlets can you have on a gfi breaker?

Depends on the breaker. If the load at the outlets is unknown then the standard rules of 80% apply. You can only load a circuit 80% of it's maximum value. For instance, if you're connecting your GFCI outlets to a 15 amp breaker you can only have a maximum of 12 outlets. If it's a 20 Amp breaker then you're allowed up to 16 outlets and so on. In the US, you are limited to 13 receptacles on a 20 amp circuit and 10 receptacles on a 15 amp circuit in commercial or industrial installations. Any or all of these can be gfci-protected. You can install one gfci, the first one from the panel, and protect any or all the others from that one.


How many recepticals are carried on one circute?

10 for a 15 amp circuit


Can you connect two fans and six outlets to one 20 amp breaker?

No, the six outlets are not amperage rated to be connected to a 20 amp circuit. A normal 15 amp receptacle can not be protected by a 20 amp breaker. Change the 20 amp breaker to a 15 amp breaker. This combination will pass code regulations. =============== In the United States, in a home, you can connect two hard-wired (not cord and plug connected) fans and six receptacles (outlets) to a single 20 amp circuit provided the 2 fans do not draw more than 10 amps together. If they are cord and plug connected, this limitation on the fans does not apply. In commercial and industrial installations, power to hard-wired equipment is provided on different circuits than receptacles.


How many wall outlets can you have in a circuit using a 240 watt load?

Watts = volts x amps x Power Factor. Assume a PF of one for a resistive load. Wall outlets in US are typically 120 volts. 240 / 120 = 2 amps. At 80 % rated load a typical 20 amp circuit souls handle 16 amps. Therefore, 8 wall outlets each with a single 240 watt device.