? on 20A circuit / outlets / #of

remhed

Hello all,

This is my fist post. So far I find this site to be very informative!

I have a 60A sub-panel in my basement to allow me to put some additional circuits in my basement (which I am finishing). I am a model railroader and have some unique power requirements...

Anyway, I want to run a circuit for normal room outlets. My plan was to run this off of a 20A breaker. I have been reading that it is OK to use 15A duplex outlets on a 20A circuit with 12AWG. I just want to confirm that is OK. Also, how many outlets can I put on this circuit? I understand that the first outlet needs to be GFCI.

Thanks much for any feedback.

Steve Johnson

Mike Swearingen

I'm not a licensed electrician, only a DIYer in that department, but in my opinion you're OK using 12/2-with-ground off of a 20 amp breaker with 15amp receptacles. Using a GFCI receptacle as the first outlet on the circuit will make all receptacles past it in the same circuit GFCI.
The number of outlets depends on the load, but you should have no problem with 8.
Check with your local Building Inspection Department for local code, permit and inspection requirements first.
Good Luck!
Mike

Speedy Petey

There is no limit to how many receptacles on a circuit in a residence, only common sense and general consensus.
Typically it is 10 or so on a 20 amp circuit.

Also, if a GFI is installed at the first receptacle it DOES NOT mean the downstream receptacles are automatically protected. It must be wired that way. You can either protect them or not depending on your situation.

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