new GFI, 15 amp on 20 amp circuit?
#1
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new GFI, 15 amp on 20 amp circuit?
I'm bought a 15 amp GFI outlet for my kitchen that doesn't currently have one. The home was built in the late 70s, and I believe it's the original wiring.
I took the old outlet out, and noticed that the wiring is a heavier gauge than 14. I thought that was odd for a regular outlet, and when I looked at the amp rating on the old outlet, it said 15, so I didn't think much about it.
When I went to shut the breaker off, it's a 20 amp breaker, and I was expecting a 15.
Should I be putting a 20 amp GFI outlet there now, and the original one was not correct? I thought 20 amp outlets have that extra horizontal slot on them, and I've never seen that in a kitchen before.
Can anyone clue me in? Thanks.
I took the old outlet out, and noticed that the wiring is a heavier gauge than 14. I thought that was odd for a regular outlet, and when I looked at the amp rating on the old outlet, it said 15, so I didn't think much about it.
When I went to shut the breaker off, it's a 20 amp breaker, and I was expecting a 15.
Should I be putting a 20 amp GFI outlet there now, and the original one was not correct? I thought 20 amp outlets have that extra horizontal slot on them, and I've never seen that in a kitchen before.
Can anyone clue me in? Thanks.
#2
The 15 amp GFI is fine.
If there is more than 1 physical spot to insert a plug on the circuit 15-amp devices are fine on 20-amp circuits.
The difference between a 15 amp and a 20 amp receptacle is the slot configuration.
If there is more than 1 physical spot to insert a plug on the circuit 15-amp devices are fine on 20-amp circuits.
The difference between a 15 amp and a 20 amp receptacle is the slot configuration.