How many plug-in outlets can you wire to a 15A breaker?

Answer 1

Most (if not all) city codes require outlets be wired with 12 gauge wire and a 20 amp breaker. Lights can be wired with 14 gauge and 15 amps.

One, or possibly a million. The question you need to ask youself is how do you intend to load this 15A circuit. It already has a light on it. Is that all? How much power does this use? What is the usage of these new outlets? How much power do you plan to draw off them?

Remeber power is the product of voltage and current. So your 15A 120V breaker can supply 1800W. Sum up everything you want to put on this circuit. If you plan on drawing more than 1000W regularly on this circuit you should consider using two or more circuits. Keep in mind you want a margin of error (I went with 800W) for large temporary loads such as vacuum cleaners and irons. Don't underrate your circuit, you will regret it later.

Another poster said in another thread that according to code "generally each duplex outlet may count for 180W" (Smseagle). So, to use this rule, you need to take 1800W, subtract the wattage of your security light, and divide the result by the remainder. The quotient, rounded down, is your answer.

Answer 2

It is recommended to wire a maximum of 10-12 outlets on a 15A breaker to prevent overloading and tripping. However, the actual number can vary based on the specific electrical load of the devices connected to the outlets.

Answer 3

Depends on what you plan to power with it. You can hook millions of outlets to one 15A breaker and it will work fine as long as you don't draw more than 15A off the circuit. You need to calculate your expected load and use that to determine how many circuits you need.

Answer 4

Electricians go with about 12 plugs or up to 15 combination of plugs and lights.

Yet the way best way to calculate is by adding the total watts "if known" which will be used on the circuit. The max the NEC code allows is 80% of the circuit,s capacity. So 15 x .8 = 12 amp x 120V = 1440watts.