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    bmarigoni's Avatar
    bmarigoni Posts: 48, Reputation: 1
    Junior Member
    		  
    #1

    Dec 18, 2007, 10:38 PM
    15A receptacles on 12/2 GFCI Circuit
    I was just looking at some of the wiring that was done in my house when it was built in 2003. I have one GFCI Circuit that has 5 receptacles on it. On this, it is wired all with 12/2 to the garage first, where the receptacle is the GFI, then it runs 3 outdoor receptacles, and 1 in the basement. All of the receptacles are 15A 120v, and I was wondering if this is okay? The breaker in the panel is a Square D Homline 20A Single pole.

    Shouldn't the receptacles be 20A? Or am I mixed up in what I think I know about GFI protection? If the breaker is a 20A, shouldn't all subsequent receptacles be 20A Rated?

    Thanks..

    P.S. TKRussel, how about them patriots, eh?

    B.Marigoni
    Washington1's Avatar
    Washington1 Posts: 798, Reputation: 36
    Senior Member
    		  
    #2

    Dec 19, 2007, 12:18 AM
    was just looking at some of the wiring that was done in my house when it was built in 2003. I have one GFCI Circuit that has 5 receptacles on it. On this, it is wired all with 12/2 to the garage first, where the receptacle is the GFI, then it runs 3 outdoor receptacles, and 1 in the basement. All of the receptacles are 15A 120v, and I was wondering if this is okay?
    It's fine per code


    P.S. TKRussel, how about them patriots, eh?
    My cousin use to play for the Patriots. Don't ask, because I'm not giving a name! :)
    Cobraguy's Avatar
    Cobraguy Posts: 140, Reputation: 11
    Junior Member
    		  
    #3

    Dec 19, 2007, 06:34 AM
    Your 15A receptacles safely pass 20A.
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #4

    Dec 19, 2007, 09:05 AM
    "breaker is a 20A, shouldn't all subsequent receptacles be 20A Rated?" Basically, no. The breaker and the wire size must be matcvhed and your's is fine. The 15a receptacle is correct for your application. You can't plug your normal hosehold stuff into a 20A receptacle. The blades are not parallel like on a 15A, they are at right angles to each other. Plug and Receptacle Configurations
    bmarigoni's Avatar
    bmarigoni Posts: 48, Reputation: 1
    Junior Member
    		  
    #5

    Dec 19, 2007, 09:48 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by ballengerb1
    " You can't plug your normal hosehold stuff into a 20A receptacle. The blades are not parallel like on a 15A, they are at right angles to each other.
    I've never had a problem plugging anything into a 20A receptacle, as it has the two blade holes parallel, with one that has the right angle on it.

    Would there be any advantage to change them to 20A receptacles? I was thinking of adding a few eve outlet receptacles to this circuit for christmas lights. Should those all be 15A receptacles if I don't change any of the other ones?

    Thanks again
    B.Marigoni
    labman's Avatar
    labman Posts: 10,580, Reputation: 551
    Uber Member
    		  
    #6

    Dec 19, 2007, 01:04 PM
    If you don't have anything with the special 20 amp plugs, I wouldn't bother. If the price is about the same, I guess you could make the new ones 20 amp.

    Don't get too carried away. Someday an AHJ may point out to me I have 16 outlets on my one 20 amp circuit.
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