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I have a single circuit that is on a double pole 25 amp breaker at 240v. This appears as if it supplied power to an old defunct well pump. I have had this breaker off for some months so I'm fairly positive that is all that it used to power. I want to change this to a single 120v 20 amp breaker to supply a single 15 amp outlet.

Am I correct in my plan of going to buy the same brand 20 amp breaker and a breaker space cover and literally just swapping the single in for the double? Anything missing?

Got some pictures of the panel and the offending breaker that I want to switch out ....

https://photos.app.goo.gl/NE1twrbKEFbk6Gvc6

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    Why not do a 20 amp outlet? Assuming the wire is 10 AWG you should have no issue using the screw on the side of the outlet. Don't you dare try to use the backstabs!!
    – MonkeyZeus
    Commented Jul 16, 2021 at 19:24
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    Like I said, "The dangers of electricity are all about amperage pulled over a given distance for a given amount of time." You'd probably be fine running the shop vac and miter saw at the same time for brief (15 second periods); I assume you're using the vacuum for dust collection. But if there is nothing stopping you from exceeding the rating of the cord then you have a fire hazard. The right answer is to use a 20 amp extension cord; not two fifteens because nothing is stopping you from abusing the undersized extension cord.
    – MonkeyZeus
    Commented Jul 16, 2021 at 19:52
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    @manassehkatz-Moving2Codidact clarifying, I will be plugging and unplugging the extension cord as i have no problem doing that. We hire a lawn mowing company and the last thing I want is to leave this cord strewn across the lawn when I'm not around lol
    – onlettinggo
    Commented Jul 16, 2021 at 19:53
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    @onlettinggo I'm glad I could help you avoid a fire hazard =)
    – MonkeyZeus
    Commented Jul 16, 2021 at 20:01
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    @manasseh Well if this is a shopping question then check out amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01FX6JRWC
    – MonkeyZeus
    Commented Jul 16, 2021 at 23:05

2 Answers 2

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Wow some crazy mis information on this!!! Yes you can downsize to a single 20 amp circuit breaker. Outside you will need a GFCI protected receptacle. In a cubby or a dry location I would still suggest a weather resistant 15 or 20 amp GFCI receptacle so it can be reset locally. You can use a duplex 15 amp receptacle on a 20 amp circuit it is allowed by code. The standard extension cord is legal most don’t realize cordage actually has higher ampacitys than promoter wiring of the same gauge. The other thing is have you ever seen a 20 amp 120v extension cord? I am an electrician and other than ones I have made I don’t remember ever seeing one much less a 20 amp plug in device. (Ok I have seen a few but extremely rare). So change to a 20 amp breaker move the white to the neutral buss in the main panel ground and neutral are the same/ can be mixed.

Use a 15 or 20 amp wr rated GFCI receptacle

And you are good to go, to comment on the backstab raised above you could not use the back stab on a 15a receptacle if you wanted to because these are sized for 14 awg wire and 12 won’t fit so 10 really won’t fit. The screw lugs are the only way to go.

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    Yes 20A cords are rare. This rare UL approved cord amzn.to/3BfgISI (male 20A plug, female 15/20A receptacle) in a way confirms it is acceptable to plug a 15A device into a 20A circuit.
    – NoSparksPlease
    Commented Jul 16, 2021 at 22:33
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Basically correct. But a few things to consider:

  • Breaker Type

Most new circuits require AFCI and/or GFCI. AFCI is generally best handled at the breaker. GFCI can be at the breaker or at the receptacle. Locations needing AFCI or GFCI vary depending on the version of the NEC. Generally speaking, kitchen, bathroom, garage, unfinished basement, laundry room and outdoor receptacles all need GFCI and most others need AFCI.

Based on additional details, this is feeding a shed, so GFCI is a definite requirement, and weather resistant and an in-use cover are also requirements. Note that even with WR receptacles, GFCI is more vulnerable when outside, so that is a point in favor of using a GFCI breaker, despite the additional cost.

  • Breaker Size

A 15A breaker can be used with 14 AWG or 12 AWG wire, or larger. A 15A breaker can connect to any number of 15A receptacles - 1 or more.

A 20A breaker can be used with 12 AWG wire or larger. A 20A breaker can connect to any number of 20A receptacles - 1 or more. Or it can connect to at least 2 15A receptacles. A standard duplex receptacle counts as "2".

So you can't connect a 20A circuit breaker to only one 15A receptacle. Either use a 20A receptacle or a duplex 15A receptacle. Or use a 15A breaker and a single 15A receptacle. While most of the time more receptacles is better, there are situations where connecting just 1 receptacle to a circuit is the right thing to do, as long as it matches the breaker.

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  • Thank you for the answer. This outlet will be located inside a storage cubby and go via a 15 amp rated extension cord to a power inlet through the wall of a shed. It's way to expensive for me to run proper power to the shed so this will have to do for now. About the other users comment on my original question, I think I will switch to a 20amp outlet even though it won't make a difference I think...
    – onlettinggo
    Commented Jul 16, 2021 at 19:27
  • The way you have worded the 15 amp receptacle on a 20 amp circuit is hard to read. Just saying since a GFCI Is required I just use that as I haven’t seen a single GFCI receptacle, a dead face sure but really?
    – Ed Beal
    Commented Jul 16, 2021 at 21:00
  • @EdBeal What I'm trying to say is that based on the original language "single 120v 20 amp breaker to supply a single 15 amp outlet" there would be a code violation. The practical situation is: Need GFCI. GFCI cheapest at the receptacle. GFCI is pretty much always duplex receptacle. Therefore unlikely to actually install a single 15A. But if OP stuck to the original plan exactly (and presumably satisfied GFCI requirement at the breaker) then there would be a problem.
    – manassehkatz-Moving 2 Codidact
    Commented Jul 16, 2021 at 21:22
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    I did understand but it was hard to read and I know the code, just mentioning it to help future answers.
    – Ed Beal
    Commented Jul 16, 2021 at 22:38
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    @manassehkatz-Moving2Codidact right, what I should have said is 20 amp breaker and a duplex 15 amp outlet. Language and the way people will interpret said language is hard.
    – onlettinggo
    Commented Jul 17, 2021 at 0:46

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