Quality receptacles?


  #1  
Old 01-12-17, 06:33 PM
R
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: MA
Posts: 647
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
Question Quality receptacles?

I'm all wired up and soon have about 25 receptacles to put in my basement. I am assuming the cheepo bulk packs are no good? Most of the receptacles will be 20amp circuits do they make standard plug 20amp or are the good 15 amp rated at 20amp? Forgive me if I am using the wrong terminology.
 
  #2  
Old 01-12-17, 06:35 PM
PJmax's Avatar
Group Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Jersey
Posts: 64,928
Received 3,947 Upvotes on 3,540 Posts
Use 15A receptacles but buy the spec grade.
They may run a dollar or two more than the standard ones but will be well worth it.
 
  #3  
Old 01-12-17, 06:44 PM
R
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: MA
Posts: 647
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
Thank you. Will they say spec grade on them? Do you recommend a specific brand??
 
  #4  
Old 01-12-17, 07:53 PM
PJmax's Avatar
Group Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Jersey
Posts: 64,928
Received 3,947 Upvotes on 3,540 Posts
If you go to one of the home improvement stores you may find Leviton.
Possibly Hubbell.
Pass and Seymour/Legrand are really nice but on the upper end of the cost ladder.

You didn't mention standard devices or Decora. Not as many choices for Decora.
 
  #5  
Old 01-12-17, 09:51 PM
Gunguy45's Avatar
Super Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 19,281
Received 6 Upvotes on 6 Posts
And buy the nylon (labeled unbreakable?) face plates. Nothing worse than good receptacles and a bunch of cracked face plates.
 
  #6  
Old 01-13-17, 03:01 AM
chandler's Avatar
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 36,607
Upvotes: 0
Received 9 Upvotes on 8 Posts
Although about $2 each I prefer these due to the fact you don't have to make a shepherd's crook to apply the wiring. They have clamps that allow you to put a stripped wire under and tighten the screw down.
 
  #7  
Old 01-13-17, 07:52 AM
pcboss's Avatar
Forum Topic Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Maryland
Posts: 13,976
Received 194 Upvotes on 170 Posts
I have never had an issue with the P&S 3232 receptacles at less than $1 each.
 
  #8  
Old 01-13-17, 06:10 PM
CasualJoe's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: United States
Posts: 9,871
Received 185 Upvotes on 166 Posts
I have never had an issue with the P&S 3232 receptacles at less than $1 each.
I agree. I have never had a problem with the less expensive residential grade devices from Leviton, Hubbell or P&S. They will still last 20+ years if installed correctly. For a designated heavy load device I might consider buying the commercial grade, but still 15 amp rated.
 
  #9  
Old 01-14-17, 05:44 AM
Tolyn Ironhand's Avatar
Group Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: United States
Posts: 14,329
Received 877 Upvotes on 740 Posts
I have never had an issue with the P&S 3232 receptacles at less than $1 each.
+1 These are my go to devices. We use the 3232S for commercial as they are self grounding.

There is no need for 20 amp receptacles unless you have some equipment that requires that configuration. I also recommend just using 15 amp. They have the same parts inside.
 
  #10  
Old 01-14-17, 01:17 PM
R
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: MA
Posts: 647
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
I already purchased the 20amp arc faults. I got a great deal 7 Eaton Circuit Breaker 20-Amp (CHFCAF120CS) for $100 NIB shipped! arc faults are code here.
 
  #11  
Old 01-14-17, 01:20 PM
R
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: MA
Posts: 647
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
Thanks everyone for the input. So are we in agreement that Pass and Seymour Legrand 3232 or 3232‑S are the way to go? If I use the 3232‑S what do I do with the copper ground wire if they are self grounding?
 
  #12  
Old 01-14-17, 01:51 PM
chandler's Avatar
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 36,607
Upvotes: 0
Received 9 Upvotes on 8 Posts
Self grounding would only apply to a metal box. You would still attach the grounding wire to the green screw on the receptacle/switch.
 
  #13  
Old 01-14-17, 01:53 PM
Tolyn Ironhand's Avatar
Group Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: United States
Posts: 14,329
Received 877 Upvotes on 740 Posts
It depends. If you used metal boxes then you can connect the ground wire to the steel box using a green grounding screw or ground lead. If you used plastic boxes, the ground wire still needs to be connected to the ground screw on the device.

Eaton Circuit Breaker 20-Amp (CHFCAF120CS) for $100 NIB shipped! arc faults are code here
I hope your panel is rated for Eaton breakers and you used #12 wire.
 
  #14  
Old 01-14-17, 03:52 PM
R
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: MA
Posts: 647
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
Thank you Chandler and Tolyn.

Yes, it should be it is a cutler hammer box so they should be the correct ones. Yes, all 12 gauge wire was run through out .
 
  #15  
Old 01-14-17, 04:52 PM
R
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: MA
Posts: 647
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
Actually, is there a limit to how many amps can be drawn off of a panel? My main shut off is a duel 100 amp. I attached a picture if that helps.

Name:  panel.jpg
Views: 103
Size:  18.8 KB
 
  #16  
Old 01-14-17, 05:47 PM
ray2047's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 29,711
Upvotes: 0
Received 15 Upvotes on 13 Posts
Limit is based on the actual expected load at any time not the sum of the breakers.
 
  #17  
Old 01-14-17, 05:52 PM
R
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: MA
Posts: 647
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
Got it, thanks again.
 
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
 
Ask a Question
Question Title:
Description:
Your question will be posted in: