[frances cyrus]

I recently change a 15amp 125v outlet to a 20amp, can u tell me what's the difference

[frances cyrus]

I recently change a 15amp 125v outlet to a 20amp, can u tell me what's the difference

[KISS]

5 amps. That aside.

20 A outlets are typically wired with 12 gage (AWG) wire. 15 A outlets with 14 gage. 12 AWG has a larger cross section (thicker) and can pass higher currents than 14 AWG.

You should not arbitrarily replace 15 A outlets with 20 Amp outlets unless the wiring is 12 AWG and the breaker is 20 A.

If you look at the 15 A outlet, you will find that there are two parallel vertical sockets. On the 20 A, one side will look like a sideways "T". There are 15 A plugs and 20 amp plugs. A 15 A plug will plug into a 15A and 20 A receptacle, but a 20A plug will only plug into a 20 A receptacle.

When replacing a 15A receptacle with a 20 A receptacle, your sending a message that the circuit is rated for 20 Amps.