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[Todd Rasmussen]

Mike Caldwell wrote on Wed, 15 July 2009 20:17

I have never quite got the 15 and 20 receptacle thing. If you look into just about any good 15 amp receptacle they are already set up with the contacts for the 20 amp vertical horizontal blade plug. It's just the front of the outlet that's only cut for two vertical blades. The 20 amp model just has a different front cover.

Yeah, I've noticed that too. I also think they just slap on a different faceplate and charge a buck or two more for the 20A version.

[Mac Kerr]

Todd Rasmussen wrote on Wed, 15 July 2009 23:43

Mike Caldwell wrote on Wed, 15 July 2009 20:17 I have never quite got the 15 and 20 receptacle thing. If you look into just about any good 15 amp receptacle they are already set up with the contacts for the 20 amp vertical horizontal blade plug. It's just the front of the outlet that's only cut for two vertical blades. The 20 amp model just has a different front cover. Yeah, I've noticed that too. I also think they just slap on a different faceplate and charge a buck or two more for the 20A version.

It has been clearly explained, what don't you get? A 15A receptacle is there because it is a 15A branch circuit and cannot have 20A equipment plugged into it. If the wiring from the receptacle is rated for 20A then you use the 20A version. 15A outlet means 15A wire.

Mac

[Todd Rasmussen]

Mac Kerr wrote on Thu, 16 July 2009 17:11

Todd Rasmussen wrote on Wed, 15 July 2009 23:43 Mike Caldwell wrote on Wed, 15 July 2009 20:17 I have never quite got the 15 and 20 receptacle thing. If you look into just about any good 15 amp receptacle they are already set up with the contacts for the 20 amp vertical horizontal blade plug. It's just the front of the outlet that's only cut for two vertical blades. The 20 amp model just has a different front cover. Yeah, I've noticed that too. I also think they just slap on a different faceplate and charge a buck or two more for the 20A version. It has been clearly explained, what don't you get? A 15A receptacle is there because it is a 15A branch circuit and cannot have 20A equipment plugged into it. If the wiring from the receptacle is rated for 20A then you use the 20A version. 15A outlet means 15A wire. Mac

It's not that we don't not get it. Merely stating an observation that the guts of a 15A receptacle look like the same guts as a 20A receptacle. That is all.

[Mac Kerr]

Todd Rasmussen wrote on Fri, 17 July 2009 20:47

It's not that we don't not get it. Merely stating an observation that the guts of a 15A receptacle look like the same guts as a 20A receptacle. That is all.

The not getting it line was a direct quote, but the only thing that matters is that the faceplates are different. The brass bars inside a 15A outlet can probably carry a lot more than 20A. The point of the 15A outlet is to restrict what can be plugged into that outlet. The 20A version allows equipment with higher current demand to be plugged in, that is all.

The adapter that started the discussion only needs 14ga wire in it because it only has a 15A plug on it.

Mac

[Duane Massey]

It is not uncommon to see 15A receptacles wired to a 20A breaker in commercial installs, but you will not see 14g wire used. As Lee quoted, code does allow this if there are multiple outlets on 1 breaker.

I've found out the hard way that I have to specify a 20A receptacle if that's what I need, otherwise the chances are good you'll get the cheaper 15A.

If you're not drawing 20A I wouldn't worry too much about the adaptor, but building your own would give you piece of mind.