I recently bought an old home that has all 20A circuits with 12/2 wire for all lighting and outlet circuits.

I wanted to install all new outlets and switches and assumed the circuits would be 15A 14/2 wired circuits so I bought contractor packs of outlets and switches that are 15A. When I went to install them I realized the circuits were 12/2 wired 20A circuits.

The 20A outlets and switches are much more expensive than the 15A. Can I use the 15A outlets and switches on the 20A 12/2 circuits or do I really need to upgrade? If I can use the 15A, do I need to change the fuses to 15A or can I leave the 20A fuses in place?

Without going into all the code reasons it is allowed, YES, you can use 15A receptacles and switches.

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Originally Posted by stanfortyman

Without going into all the code reasons why it is allowed, YES, you can use 15A receptacles and switches.

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Thank you! What about the fuses, can I leave the 20A fuses in place?

Also, if the 12 gauge wire will fit (have to force through plastic hole) in the quick-connect push-in on the back of the outlet, can I use those or should I use the screw terminals on the side? If I use the screw terminals on the side, do I have to bend the wire around the screw or just insert it straight and tighten screw?

Thanks!

Yes, you can leave the 20A fuses or breakers.

NO, #12 will NOT fit into the quickwire holes in the back of a receptacle. You DO NOT want to use them anyway. They are a KNOWN source of premature failures and problems.

If you use a standard screw terminal yes, you need to loop the wire into a "J" and hook it on so that the screw pulls the wire in. Meaning the long side of the "J" should be on the left side of the screw.

Like Stanforty was saying, you want to form a hook or"J". You don't want to bend around screw.

Thank you stanfortyman! You just saved me $100 by not having to buy 20A hardware. I can't believe the price difference between 15A & 20A hardware