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RE: 20 amp Duplex on 15 amp circuits? yes? no? don't care?

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In Reply to: RE: 20 amp Duplex on 15 amp circuits? yes? no? don't care? posted by 6bq5 on March 20, 2017 at 13:33:13

For an appliance or piece of equipment that uses a cord and NEMA 5-20P (20 amp plug), UL, NEMA, and NEC code, all limit the FLA (Full Load Amps) of the appliance or equipment to 16 amps maximum. More than 16 amps the manufacture must use a 30 amp plug.
For a NEMA 5-15P (15 amp plug) the FLA of the appliance or equipment can not exceed 12 amps. One reason portable vacuum cleaner manufactures never boast about their vacuum cleaner having a motor bigger than 12 amps. Who would buy a home consumer vacuum cleaner with a 20 amp plug?
Will a 15 amp breaker trip open with a 16 amp continuous connected load? Maybe, someday.

http://goodsonengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Cir (Open in New Window)

Edits: 03/20/17

Follow Ups:

RE: 20 amp Duplex on 15 amp circuits? yes? no? don't care? - Duster 21:22:11 03/20/17 (4)
Anecdotal evidence seems to indicate that audiophiles who install a 20A rated AC outlet on a 15A circuit, including power distributors are not being foolish about the matter. There are plenty of rules and regulations that apply to more dangerous user scenarios than powering a humble home audio system. Potential dangers such as these can be determined by an informed end-user to make good judgements. What is your opinion, jea48? TIA
- RE: 20 amp Duplex on 15 amp circuits? yes? no? don't care? - jea48 17:19:16 03/21/17 (3)
  Putting NEC aside.
  Changing out a 15 amp duplex receptacle, that is connected to a 15 amp branch circuit, to a 20 amp rated audio grade or even a quality spec grade or hospital grade duplex receptacle in itself would not create an electrical safety hazard/issue, imo, providing the duplex outlet is used for audio equipment that is designed/manufactured to use a 15 plug. (By the way there is no limit to how many 15 amp duplex receptacles can be installed on a 15 amp branch circuit in a residential dwelling unit.)
  AND IF a 15 amp is changed out to a 20 amp, in the event the audio system is moved to another location or the owner sells the house the 20 amp duplex must be replaced with a 15 amp duplex. I doubt if a high dollar audio grade 20 amp duplex receptacle would ever be left for a new owner, not sure about a spec grade 20 amp outlet though. See that's the thing about electrical safety codes, it makes it safe for the next unknowing owner. Does it happen a previous owner might leave a 20 amp duplex receptacle on a 15 amp branch circuit? Yes. New guy moves in and sees a 20 amp duplex under a window in a room with 15 amp duplex outlets.
  .
  IF a piece of audio equipment is designed/manufactured to use a 20 amp plug and the user then changes out a 15 amp duplex, that is connected to a 15 amp branch circuit, to a 20 amp rated duplex receptacle so he can plug it in, then that would be clearly electrically unsafe. For the reason/s I stated in my previous post.
  
  Edits: 03/21/17
  - ANyone shuld inspect ALL duplex and switches when moving in... - 3+4=5 14:08:30 03/27/17 (2)
    Having lived in plenty of 40 to 70 year old buildings.. I have to say EVERY single duplex in the places I move into is toast. IE worn out, and or broken. The fact is if the duplex works at all, it will not be replaced by a landlord.
    Worrying about a 20 amp duplex as 1 in 40,000,000 compared to 100% of worn out crap waiting for a fire due to the incredibly poor connection at the duplex...
    Good luck.
    - RE: ANyone shuld inspect ALL duplex and switches when moving in... - jea48 06:49:58 03/31/17 (0)
      Having lived in plenty of 40 to 70 year old buildings.. I have to say EVERY single duplex in the places I move into is toast. IE worn out, and or broken. The fact is if the duplex works at all, it will not be replaced by a landlord.
      
      Curious, how many of those duplex receptacles you changed out, without the landlords knowledge or permission, were 2 wire non grounding type duplex receptacles?
      
      The fact the old receptacles contacts were worn out hardly justifies replacing a 2 wire duplex receptacle with a 3 wire grounding type receptacle.
      
      Worrying about a 20 amp duplex as 1 in 40,000,000 compared to 100% of worn out crap waiting for a fire due to the incredibly poor connection at the duplex...
      
      I doubt if your landlord or his insurance company would agree.
      
      For what it's worth new residential dwelling units being built today have branch circuit AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) protection. IF a receptacle contacts pressure becomes poor and series or parallel arcing occurs between the plug blades and receptacle contacts, or anywhere from the AFCI branch circuit breaker in the electrical panel, to any line side arcing connected load the breaker will trip open. That's today. Who knows what safety electrical codes/standards will be required 3 years from now, let alone 40 years from now.
    - Worn-out AC outlets... - Duster 17:16:40 03/28/17 (0)
      A guest room of a family member's home has an AC outlet that was no-doubt installed 40 years ago or thereabouts. The AC plug of a table radio on the nightstand essentially swims in the socket. It's far beyond its useful lifespan, and sort of amusing to experience as an audiophile...

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