Adding Outlets
#1
03-24-04, 10:40 PM
Adding Outlets
I NEED TO ADD SOME OUTLETS TO A 20A GFI CIRCUIT. I BOUGHT SOME OUTLETS BUT AIN'T SURE IF THEY'RE OK. ON THE BACK THEY HAVE A QUICK CONNECT FOR 14GA AND IT SAYS TO USE THE SCREW TERMINALS FOR 12GA BUT ALSO SAYS 15A.
IF I WIRE THEM TOGETHER WITH 12GA USING THE SCREWS ARE THEY OK FOR A 20A BREAKER.? ARE THERE DIFFERENT OUTLETS FOR 20AMPS? ,THE HARDWARE ONLY STOCKED WHAT I BOUGHT.
IF I WIRE THEM TOGETHER WITH 12GA USING THE SCREWS ARE THEY OK FOR A 20A BREAKER.? ARE THERE DIFFERENT OUTLETS FOR 20AMPS? ,THE HARDWARE ONLY STOCKED WHAT I BOUGHT.
#2
03-25-04, 04:29 AM
Please don't type in all uppercase letters. it is considered shouting and it is hard to read.
Yes, you may add these outlets to your circuit. The outlets themselves are 15 amp outlets, but it is permissable to use 1 amp outlets on a 20 amp branch ciruit. You must use 12 gauge wire for these new outlets.
As for the connections, you should never use thebackstab connections. They may hold and may seem secure, but they tend to fail over time, especially on often used outlets. In this case you can't use the backstabs anyway (because of the 12 gauge wire), but even on 15 amp circuits with 14 gauge wire you shouldn't use them. Use the screw terminals.
Before you proceed, however, let's make sure that you can extend this circuit. Where is the GFCI outlet and where do you want to add the new outlets?
Yes, you may add these outlets to your circuit. The outlets themselves are 15 amp outlets, but it is permissable to use 1 amp outlets on a 20 amp branch ciruit. You must use 12 gauge wire for these new outlets.
As for the connections, you should never use thebackstab connections. They may hold and may seem secure, but they tend to fail over time, especially on often used outlets. In this case you can't use the backstabs anyway (because of the 12 gauge wire), but even on 15 amp circuits with 14 gauge wire you shouldn't use them. Use the screw terminals.
Before you proceed, however, let's make sure that you can extend this circuit. Where is the GFCI outlet and where do you want to add the new outlets?
#3
03-25-04, 06:56 AM
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I have a similar question to the original poster. I am redoing the wiring in an older home and have decided to go with 20 A circuits for the plugs. When I went to the local home improvement place though, I couldn't find any multi-packs of receptacles rated for 20 A, just 15.
So, if I run the #12 wire from the 20 A circuit, is it ok to use the 15 A receptacles?
So, if I run the #12 wire from the 20 A circuit, is it ok to use the 15 A receptacles?
#4
03-25-04, 08:31 AM
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to use 15 amp switches and receptacles on a 20 amp branch circuit. The only time you need to use 20 amp duplex receptacles on a 20 amp circuit is when you have a device with a 20 amp plug. A 20 amp plug has the neutral connector blasde at a right angle to the hot connector blade.
However, if you run a 20 amp circuit to a single non-duplex receptacle, then the receptacle must be a 20 amp receptacle.
However, if you run a 20 amp circuit to a single non-duplex receptacle, then the receptacle must be a 20 amp receptacle.
#6
03-26-04, 05:30 AM
Thanks for the info. I will be wiring the garage ,but no single outlet should use 15amps. what concerned me most was where the duplex outlets are joined with a breakout tab(I guess if you want to switch one of them),it don't look as heavy as a 12ga wire.
