20a GFCI???
#1
03-06-09, 10:24 AM
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20a GFCI???
Two questions...
1) I have seen a few GFCI outlets at the store that say they're rated for 20a, but they do not have the t-shaped neutral slot. What is the purpose of this?
2) I have some left over 20a GFCI outlets that do have the t-shaped slot. Can I use these on a 15a/14ga circuit? I'm guessing the answer is NO!!!, but this is in my own house and I know I will never plug a 20a device in to them.
Thanks,
Rich
1) I have seen a few GFCI outlets at the store that say they're rated for 20a, but they do not have the t-shaped neutral slot. What is the purpose of this?
2) I have some left over 20a GFCI outlets that do have the t-shaped slot. Can I use these on a 15a/14ga circuit? I'm guessing the answer is NO!!!, but this is in my own house and I know I will never plug a 20a device in to them.
Thanks,
Rich
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#2
03-06-09, 11:08 AM
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Originally Posted by bajafx4
Two questions...
1) I have seen a few GFCI outlets at the store that say they're rated for 20a, but they do not have the t-shaped neutral slot. What is the purpose of this?
2) I have some left over 20a GFCI outlets that do have the t-shaped slot. Can I use these on a 15a/14ga circuit? I'm guessing the answer is NO!!!, but this is in my own house and I know I will never plug a 20a device in to them.
Thanks,
Rich
1) I have seen a few GFCI outlets at the store that say they're rated for 20a, but they do not have the t-shaped neutral slot. What is the purpose of this?
2) I have some left over 20a GFCI outlets that do have the t-shaped slot. Can I use these on a 15a/14ga circuit? I'm guessing the answer is NO!!!, but this is in my own house and I know I will never plug a 20a device in to them.
Thanks,
Rich
2. You are correct. "Can I use" is ambiguous. You may mean "Does code permit use of". All codes assume that you will either die or sell the place without any documentation of stuff you would never do.
#3
03-06-09, 11:40 AM
Originally Posted by bajafx4
I have seen a few GFCI outlets at the store that say they're rated for 20a, but they do not have the t-shaped neutral slot. What is the purpose of this?
I have some left over 20a GFCI outlets that do have the t-shaped slot. Can I use these on a 15a/14ga circuit?
#4
03-06-09, 12:08 PM
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Ok, I figured I couldn't... or shouldn't use the 20a GFCI's on the 15a circuit. No problem there, I'll just get some new ones.
I'm still a little confused about the 20a GFCI outlets without the t-shaped neutral though. Do I understand that these can can provide 20a to downstream protected outlets, but the outlets on the actual GFCI are only good for 15a? If that's the case, why would you ever buy or install one of these instead of a true 20a GFCI w/ a t-shaped neutral?
I'm still a little confused about the 20a GFCI outlets without the t-shaped neutral though. Do I understand that these can can provide 20a to downstream protected outlets, but the outlets on the actual GFCI are only good for 15a? If that's the case, why would you ever buy or install one of these instead of a true 20a GFCI w/ a t-shaped neutral?
#5
03-06-09, 12:15 PM
Originally Posted by bajafx4
Ok, I figured I couldn't... or shouldn't use the 20a GFCI's on the 15a circuit. No problem there, I'll just get some new ones.
I'm still a little confused about the 20a GFCI outlets without the t-shaped neutral though. Do I understand that these can can provide 20a to downstream protected outlets, but the outlets on the actual GFCI are only good for 15a?
If that's the case, why would you ever buy or install one of these instead of a true 20a GFCI w/ a t-shaped neutral?
#6
03-06-09, 12:30 PM
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Originally Posted by ibpooks
You can't use the t-slot 20A recepts on a 15A circuit, but you can use 20A feed-through recepts on a 15A circuit as long as the recept does not have the t-slot.
Originally Posted by ibpooks
The true 20A recepts are about $1.00 more expensive. Believe it or not some people are also incredibly picky about unimportant things and will complain about the t-slot looking different than the other recepts.
#7
03-07-09, 07:13 AM
Originally Posted by bajafx4
I will just buy the 15a GFCI outlets. I don't see any advantage to have the ability to pass through 20a when this circuit is on a on a 15a breaker w/ 14ga wire. Correct?
#8
03-07-09, 07:48 PM
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I'm not even sure they make GFCIs without a 20-amp pass-through. I think they all have this. In fact, I would venture to guess that all outlets of any kind (GFCI or not) sold today have at least 20 amp pass through.
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