20amp vs 15amp circuit
#1
12-12-05, 02:14 PM
Join Date: Feb 2002
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20amp vs 15amp circuit
During recent remodel I wired one circuit in dining room for 20amp outlets. Was good for power tools during construction but now I have a section of outlets which I will use for lamps, etc which are rated for 15amp (I think) - is this a problem to used the circuit for lamps, etc or should I change out the breaker and install with 15amp breaker - if so, will I need to swap all outlets from 20amp rated to 15amp rated ones. (it is wired with 12 guage wire)
Thanks for advice.
Thanks for advice.
#2
12-12-05, 03:00 PM
Member
Duplex receptacles rated for 15-amps can be used on a circuit with all 12-gauge wire on a 20-amp breaker.
You are aware I hope that a circuit serving dining room receptacles cannot serve anything other than kitchen and dining room receptacles.
You are aware I hope that a circuit serving dining room receptacles cannot serve anything other than kitchen and dining room receptacles.
#4
12-12-05, 03:05 PM
Originally Posted by John Nelson
You are aware I hope that a circuit serving dining room receptacles cannot serve anything other than kitchen and dining room receptacles.
John, just curious...Do you know how long this restriction has existed?
#7
12-12-05, 05:56 PM
Apparently it wasn't in the NEC in 1975 when my house was built...The shared wall between my living and dining room share a circuit.
Similar to my bathroom/garage/outside receptical circuit. It was up to code in 1975.
Similar to my bathroom/garage/outside receptical circuit. It was up to code in 1975.
#9
12-13-05, 07:11 AM
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Thanks for responding - I designed this circuit to serve the dining area (3 outlets) and one outlet that is located on the side of a kitchen island that seperates the space - so the circuit is only for dining area and kitchen.
I will not worry about changing anything now that I know it's perfectly OK to plug standard lamps into 20amp without problem.
Thanks again for the quick responses!
I will not worry about changing anything now that I know it's perfectly OK to plug standard lamps into 20amp without problem.
Thanks again for the quick responses!
