This is sort of similar to the other thread, but my problem is the house I bought is wired with 12, all the breakers are 20AMP except for the 30AMP for the AC and Dryer. When me and my dad were changing the power recepticals, which were 15 amp, someone told us that we should have 20 recepticals, or change the breakers to 15 AMP.

Ideally since the house already has 20AMP circuits and 12 wire, should I buy the more expesive recepticals or keep the 15 AMP ones? If I keep the 15 AMP ones does this pose a fire threat or a code violation for Ohio? Someone told me that it would not be in code if I kept the 15AMP recepticals and if I planned on changing them all out I should just buy the better ones and that way I won't have any worries and be able to use up to the 20AMP range until the breaker would blow and not risk the receptical overheating or catching fire.

Last, even though the 20AMP recepticals have the different notch in the plug face can I still use regular electrical equipment, applicances, like a TV etc with only 2 prongs, it will still work with everything??

walt17

I can't answer as to being in code. But you should definitely change the outlets. All outlets and wiring should have a greater capacity than the circuit breaker. That way the breaker will trip before the fire starts.

A lot of electrical and electronic equipment only have two prongs on the plug. Use polarized outlets and you should be OK. Unless you are using some old metal case equipment.

labman

For normal household use, the 15 amp outlets should work. You shouldn't get in trouble unless you unplug heavy loads like an air conditioner when it is running. Still, they are cheap and easy to replace, won't hurt to replace them.

By different notches, do you mean the long and short ones, or the ones that that will also take a plug with the blade turned 90 degrees? Either style will work with standard plugs. Some outlets and plugs have one or more blades turned 90 degrees. Matching ones are used for special purposes. Skip the outlets that will not take regular plugs.

tkrussell

Save your money, do not change your outlets unless you want to have new, clean , or different colored devices and plates. A 15 amp device is perfectly fine and per code, and perferred. A 15 amp device limits an otherwise 20 rated circuit to 15 amps.

A true 20 plug is different and cannot be used in a 15 amp outlet. Unless you use those multiple plugstrips and got 5 electric heaters running on it, hopefully not. The one you have with one blade up ant the other sideways is problably rated 20 amp,read the label.

Ask for an appeal if any inspector requires you to replace the devices.

Now if you have a circuit that needs a full 20 amps circuit to operate properly, then change that outlet/outlets.

If you can then afford to replace all the outlets, be my guest...

But think, if you replace them all yourself inproperly , 30 outlets with each min 3 connections equals 90 possible loose, potentially dangerous , connections.



Ask for an estimate by a good electrician, will be good investment for your home.


Kevin