Can you use a 15amp outlet on a 20amp circuit?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

Any 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.

Answer 3

Yes, 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.

Answer 4

This is controlled typically by local building codes but I believe it is 12.

Answer 5

Yes. But you shouldn't plug combined loads of more than 15amp into the receptacle.