However, doing this means taking into consideration the load that will be put on a circuit. However, where multiple receptacles are installed on a higher rated branch circuit, it is permissible to use 15-ampere receptacles on a 20-ampere branch circuit. Thus, a single receptacle installed on an individual branch circuit needs to have an ampere rating not less than that of the branch circuit. It is possible to use a 15-amp outlet in a 20-amp circuit if there are more outlets in the circuit. A 20-amp outlet has one slot either turned sideways or T-shaped, while a 15-amp outlet does not. 20 Amp OutletĪside from obvious things like current capacity and wire size, the main difference between a 15-amp outlet and a 20-amp outlet is the outlet design. The dryers can actually hold significant power, but they are allowed for 15-Amp circuits because they are only being used for a short time.Įlectrical systems). Hair dryers, curling irons, and electric razors.Television sets, desktops, printers, and gaming consoles.Small kitchen appliances include coffee makers, toasters, blenders, and food processors.Other appliances that do not need a dedicated 15-Amp circuit but are often used on a shared 15-Amp circuit are:
SIZE WIRE FOR 30 AMP BREAKER PORTABLE
Small-window air conditioners or portable air conditioners.Microwaves: the 15-Amp dedicated circuit is enough for smaller countertop conditioners.When it comes to particular appliances used with 15-Amp circuits, the ones that need a dedicated 15-Amp circuit are: You can run up to 8 outlets on a 15-Amp circuit, the key is for them to have no more than 1600 Amps total. This means that it is best to load a 15-amp circuit to 1600 Amp or less. However, it is important to account for the 80 percent NEC rule that states you should load the breaker only to 80 percent of its capacity. What Are The Applications Of A 15 Amp Circuit Breaker?Ī 15-Amp circuit can be either a dedicated circuit or a shared circuit.Ī 15-Amp circuit breaker can average between 1800 to 2000 watts. All things concerned, it is best to use 14 AWG copper wire, which is perfectly suitable for this situation and is more cost-effective than 12 AWG wire.Īs for using a 10-gauge wire, while it is also possible and not a fire hazard, it is not practical for similar reasons that it is not practical to use a 12 AWG wire. This might confuse someone else working on the electrical system in the future, as they might assume the circuit is rated for 20 amps because of the wire size. The breaker must match the lowest-rated component on the circuit. While the wire can handle the current, this doesn't mean you can put a higher amperage breaker on the circuit. However, there are several things to consider in this scenario. At 75☌, 12 AWG copper wire is ranked 25 Amps. It is often asked whether it is fine to use a 12-gauge wire on a 15-amp circuit, and the answer is yes, it is actually fine. Aluminum wires work better for circuits with higher ampacity.Ĭan I Use a 12 AWG Copper Wire on A 15-Amp Breaker? However, copper cables are a better choice for 15 Amp breakers due to safety and efficiency concerns. If you choose to use aluminum wire, the correct size for a 15 Amp breaker is 12 AWG. 14 AWG copper wire is ranked 20 Amps at 75☌. 14 AWG copper wire is the most common choice for a 15-Amp circuit.
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