I have run conduit which came with 3-wire 12 gauge standed cable. I have it going to a 20A outlet, but all of the strands will not fit in the screw terminal.

The breaker is a 15A. Can I trim a few of the 12 gauge strands to get the wire to fit onto the screw terminal? Are electrical outlets also sold by wire gauge and amps?

Can't trim strands, Some receptciles will give a tough time getting all strands in clamp screw terminal. Screw terminals that don't have clamp should be wrapped around screw terminals and tightened. It helps to twist the strands first.
You could pigtail a short piece of #12 solid if all strands won't fit.

Do you mean pigtail via a wire nut?

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I have run conduit which came with 3-wire 12 gauge standed cable. I have it going to a 20A outlet, but all of the strands will not fit in the screw terminal.

The breaker is a 15A. Can I trim a few of the 12 gauge strands to get the wire to fit onto the screw terminal? Are electrical outlets also sold by wire gauge and amps?

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No you cannot trim off conductor strands. The best way to do this, is to pigtail (As suggest by Strat) a solid insulated #12 conductor to the stranded #12. You can do this at the panel, and at the device (receptacle). You can also use wire terminals listed for your install ( I believe yellow wire terminal will work in this case).

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Do you mean pigtail via a wire nut?

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Yes! You will need a short piece (6 inches) of insulated #12 (solid). Wire nut the conductors based on the color: what to what, blk to blk, and bare copper to green (or to bare copper) for your equipment ground.

Sorry, I have to ask this question.

You've run 12 AWG cable to a 20 amp receptacle, now you want to use a 15 amp breaker.

No can do. The next person that looks at that outlet will assume you ran a 20 amp line. Either go with a 15 amp receptacle and breaker or go with a 20 Amp breaker to a 20 Amp receptacle.

Sorry I have to answer this question. You can have a 20 amp receptacle , on a #12, on a 15 amp breaker, you could also put on 20 amp breaker.
#12 is a 20 amp line?
Donf, I think you misread something. Your usually right on.
Mikey, some recepticles allow a #14 solid to be back wired(pushed in back hole) #12 won't fit, as well as stranded.
I recccomend, NEVER use hole/Always use screw connection)

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Originally Posted by donf

Sorry, I have to ask this question.

You've run 12 AWG cable to a 20 amp receptacle, now you want to use a 15 amp breaker.

No can do. The next person that looks at that outlet will assume you ran a 20 amp line. Either go with a 15 amp receptacle and breaker or go with a 20 Amp breaker to a 20 Amp receptacle.

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donf,

I don't believe you fully understand the rule, but some of your understanding has raised an outstanding question.

If the OP has a 20 amp receptacles (T-slot), then it is an NEC violation if the device is being served by a 15A breaker. See NEC 210.21

I guess our question should be. Do you have a 20A receptacle with a t-slot?

Picture below:

donf,

-you can have a 15 or 20 amp circuit serve a 15 amp receptacle
-you can have a 20 amp circuit serve a 20A or 15A receptacle. Note: The feed through rating is 20 amps when using the screws on a 15A receptacle device.

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Originally Posted by MikeyLV

Are electrical outlets also sold by wire gauge and amps?

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Not sure if anyone answered this part or not, but Yes, outlets and switches come in 15 and 20 Amps. It is best to keep the amperage consistent (20A breaker 12 g wire 20A outlet). 20A outlets have the T like the picture above.

Strat,

If the OCPD is 15 AMP and you have run 12 AWG to a 15 Amp receptacle, I have no problem.

If as in this situation, you have a 15 AMP OCPD tied to a 12 AWG conductor and connected to a 20 Amp receptacle one look at that receptacle will tell you this is a 20 amp line. Common (or uncommon) sense says to me either go with 15 Amp listed devices or use 20 amp but do not mix a 15 Amp OCPD with an apparent 20 Amp load.

I am not making this statement based on the contents of the NEC. I am concerned about the person who does not realize that the amperage allowed does not match the expectation set by the presence of the 20 amp receptacle. I guess it is opinion nothing more or less.

Donf, I was assmuming, when the Poster said wires wouldn't fit, I figured? It must be 15 Amp Receptacle. I agree the 20 Amp Breaker(Code or not)Especially if it has has # 12, and a 20 Amp receptacle in place.