[rajeffer]

I am wiring a room with a 20 amp circuit. All of the receptacles are rated at 20 amps and I am running it all with 12 gauge wire. My question is when it comes to the switch for the ceiling fan/light, does the switch need to be rated 20 amp or can I use a 15 amp switch as the fixture probably doesn't even use more than 4 or 5 amps max and will never change. The back of the 15 amp switch says it accepts 14 or 12 gauge wire. Thanks!

[tkrussell]

No, a 20 amp circuit requires a minimum of 20 amp rated devices.

[rajeffer]

Ok, but from some of your other posts, you have 15 amp receptacles on 20 amp circuits (as long as the whole circuit is wired with #12 wire), so why is a 15 amp switch different? Perhaps because a receptacle/switch may say 15A on it, but it's actually rated for 20 amp?

[tkrussell]

A 15 amp receptacle limits only a 15 amp plug to be inserted, thus limiting the load to 15 amps or less. A switch cannot do that. Anyone can come along and install larger lamps, add more fixtures, etc. and the switch can be overloaded.

[rajeffer]

You threw me off a bit when you said "a 20 amp circuit requires a minimum of 20 amp rated devices", cause I was reading all over the place that you could put a 15 amp device on a 20 amp circuit.

Yep makes sense, so I think I will take out the 20 amp receptacles and replace those with 15 amp receptacles and then make my switch a 20 amp switch - and I should be good to go. Thanks for the advice!

[tkrussell]

Yes, my wording was a bit confusing, I should have used the word "switch" and not " devices, since 15 amp receptacle can be on a 20 amp circuit.

Sorry for the confusion.

Leave the 20 amp receptacles and only buy the one 20 amp switch. This will save you some work and money.