Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    yantoz's Avatar
    yantoz Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jun 20, 2009, 07:12 PM
    Electrical circuit
    If I want to add an outlet on a 20 amp circuit should I use a 20 amp outlet & #12 conductor?
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #2

    Jun 20, 2009, 07:14 PM
    Unless you are in Canada you do not need to use a 20A receptacle.
    #12 would be correct.
    donf's Avatar
    donf Posts: 5,679, Reputation: 582
    Printers & Electronics Expert
    		  
    #3

    Jun 21, 2009, 04:28 AM

    While using a 20 Amp receptacle is not a requirement here in the U.S. yet, for purposes of identification, you should use the correct receptacle.

    While you will always know that the circuit is 20 amp, anyone coming behind you will not. It's a small thing, but you did change this circuit.

    Is this an independent circuit or did you just add it on to a previous circuit?

    If you added it on to a previous circuit and that circuit was 15 amp, the entire circuit is 15 amp. If you changed the breaker to 20 amp, then you have a problem. All of the wiring in the circuit must be upgraded to 12AWG,
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #4

    Jun 21, 2009, 05:01 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by donf View Post
    While using a 20 Amp receptacle is not a requirement here in the U.S. yet, for purposes of identification, you should use the correct receptacle.

    While you will always know that the circuit is 20 amp, anyone coming behind you will not. Its a small thing, but you did change this circuit.
    Don, I am not sure why this matters.
    Also, a 15A receptacle (in this and most cases like it) IS most certainly the "correct" receptacle.

    If you want to do this to tell quickly which circuits are 20A that's fine too.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Electrical circuit [ 2 Answers ]

How many 6'cN LIGHTS CAN BE PUT ON A 15 mp circuit

Electrical circuit problems [ 1 Answers ]

We have 120volts coming into all the electrical outlets on a circuit, but when we plug something into an outlet it will not work. Why is this happening?

Electrical circuit in basement [ 2 Answers ]

Hi, I'm finishing my basement and have a light that is already on a separate circuit. The circuit also has at least three additional lights on the circuit. The circuit is wired with 12 gauge wire and it's on a 15 amp breaker. If I want to control that one light with a switch and also add on two...

Electrical and circuit breakers [ 1 Answers ]

I live in a studio apartment that is attached to a main house. Whenever I use my toaster oven or microwave at the same time that the home owner has on her hair dryer or space heater I blow a fuse or whatever, and have to go and switch off & on the circuit breaker. Is there a way to upgrade or...

Circuit Breakers and Electrical [ 17 Answers ]

Hi... I am having a problem with my circuit breakers... when a couple of them tripped and I went down to reset them... the electrical appliances and switches etc. associated with these particular switches did not come back on... went downstairs to the breaker box and reset the switches again......

View more questions Search