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RE: 20 amp receptacles on 15 amp line?

Posted by jea48 on November 28, 2016 at 13:11:45:
Dave said:
I am sure there are good 15 amp outlets.
Dave,
I don't know why after market audio grade receptacle marketers/manufactures are using a NEMA 20 amp face plate on their outlets. I can't believe it is due to purely ignorance on their part.
IF their outlets are UL approved, or equal, they must meet NEMA, (National Electrical Manufactures Association), standards as well as NEC, (National Electrical Code), Safety standards. If they are not Listed by UL, or equal, they are not NEC Code compliant.
All NEMA 15 amp rated receptacle outlets have a minimum pass through contact rating of 20 amps. In most cases spec grade receptacles made in, at least, the last 20 years use the same exact contacts in both the NEMA 15 and 20 amp rated outlets. The only difference between the two is the NEMA face plate. If you use a flash light and look inside of the neutral slot contact of a 15 amp receptacle you more than likely will see the "T" contact for the 20 amp rated receptacle. The only difference between the 15 and 20 amp receptacle is the face plate. (In the trade they are called being idiot proof.)
If a manufacture of a piece of equipment or appliance uses a cord and plug he must meet certain electrical safety standards. That is if he is a reputable manufacture and his equipment is safety Listed by a recognized third party testing laboratory like UL.
If the manufacture wants to use a 15 amp male plug, to feed his equipment, the FLA (Full Load Amps) cannot exceed 12 amps. If the equipment FLA is over 12 amps, but not more than 16 amps, the manufacture must use a 20 amp plug.
How many NEMA 5-20P 120V 20 amp plugs have you seen on a piece of equipment or appliance used in a residential dwelling unit? The majority of duplex receptacles found in a home are 15 amp duplex receptacle outlets. One reason home consumer vacuum cleaners only have a powerful 12 amp motor.... How many would be sold if the motor was bigger and required a 20 amp plug?
Like I said in an earlier post 2 or more 15 amp receptacles can be installed on a 20 amp branch circuit. (A duplex receptacle is 2) You can mix 20 amp and 15 receptacles on the same 20 amp branch circuit.
A 20 amp receptacle can only be installed on a 20 amp branch circuit. At least per NEC code.
As for NEC.... NEC is not affiliated in any way with the government. It is a privately owned copyrighted entity. Who writes the code? Insurance companies, Electrical Engineers, Electrical Contractors, electricians, Safety Testing Laboratories like UL, NEMA, and others.
States, counties, cities, towns, adopt all or part of the NEC Code. States pass Laws and counties and cities pass ordinances that give NEC legal enforcement within the state.