I need to wire three (3) 15 A receptacles. I also have some spare yellow 20 A Romex laying around.
Is there any issue with wiring those up? I got a dedicated 20 A breaker to daisy chain the three.
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1Think the breaker must equal the lowest amp rating on circuit, so 15 amp outlet/s will need to be on 15 amp breaker.– crip659Commented Feb 28, 2021 at 1:22
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7@crip659 15A/20A are a big exception. A 20A breaker can have 1 or more 20A receptacle or 2 or more 15A receptacles, or any combination. The only "not allowed" is a 20A breaker with just a single 15A receptacle.– manassehkatz-Moving 2 CodidactCommented Feb 28, 2021 at 1:55
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1@crip659 See NEC Table 210.21(B)(3)– NoSparksPleaseCommented Feb 28, 2021 at 1:57
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@manassehkatz-Moving2Codidact because you can "over drive" the 15A receptacle (or wires) causing it to overheat and catch fire?– RonJohnCommented Mar 1, 2021 at 3:12
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@RonJohn I don't truly know the reasons. It wouldn't be the wires, as the 20A breaker protects the 20A-rated (12 AWG) wires. It probably isn't even the receptacle itself, as 15A receptacles generally are rated for 20A pass through since they are OK to be used on 20A circuits. In fact, I suspect (because of the 15A/20A rules) that a major manufacturer 15A and 20A receptacle only differ in the shape of the slots for the plug. But logically having only a single 15A receptacle on a 20A circuit just makes no sense - no gain (unlike 2 x 15A where you could have 10A + 10A or 15A + 5A, etc.)– manassehkatz-Moving 2 CodidactCommented Mar 1, 2021 at 3:25
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2 Answers
Yes, that’s fine. The NEC specifically allows multiple 15A receptacles on a 20A branch circuit. You must use 12Ga or larger (if in copper) for all wiring - any 14 and you must use a 15A breaker.
This is an exception to the general rules. You can’t put a single 15A receptacle on a 20A circuit and you can’t do things like putting multiple 20A receptacles on a 30A circuit.
No problem doing what you want to do. Just make sure your cable is #12 AWG. Don't use the backstabs on the outlets, pigtail the first and second outlets on the through cable.
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6You don't have to pigtail, but it'll be easier to push the recep back into the box if you do. Another "ease the pain" trick is use metal boxes + "self-grounding" receps. Then you land the grounds on the metal box (which you always must do) first, and then grounds are out of your way. Then the recep picks up ground off the mounting screw threads. 1 less wire to wrestle! Commented Feb 28, 2021 at 2:48