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03-11-2011, 06:28 PM
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#1
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Newbie
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 2
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Electrical Receptacles
Is it alright to put a 20A receptacle in place of a 15A receptalcle, the fuse box was recently replaced and has 20A fuses in the electrical box, not sure what size the wire is, old house, the old fuse box had one 20A fuse and one 15A fuse . the fuse box was an old federal (model) and went bad so we replaced new box with two 20A fuses
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03-11-2011, 06:41 PM
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#2
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Electrical Contractor
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Newnan GA
Posts: 5,020
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Electrical Receptacles
What is the size of the wire feeding the receptacle?
In the US, you do not need a 20 amp receptaleunless it is a dedicated 20 amp circuit.
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03-11-2011, 06:43 PM
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#3
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Love for Construction
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Idaho
Posts: 311
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Electrical Receptacles
You need to confirm what size the wire is, everything has to be rated for 20amps to be safe (i.e. wire and breaker).
If you replaced the original 15 amp fused circuit with a 20amp breaker then you have probably already have gone against code, as the circuits wiring was most likely sized for a 15 amp service.
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03-11-2011, 06:45 PM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Welland, Ontario
Posts: 6,036
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Electrical Receptacles
You must verify the cable size and use the correct fuse. If you are not sure then use a 15 amp fuse.
In Canada the receptacle must match the circuit. 15 amp receptacles on 15 amp circuits and 20 amp T slot receptacles on 20 amp circuits.
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03-11-2011, 06:48 PM
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#5
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Newbie
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 2
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Electrical Receptacles
not for sure the size feeding the receptacle, I just happened to buy a 20A replacement receptacle hoping it would help things if not anything else. I,m 99% sure it has a 15A receptacle in the box now, will it hurt to put the 20A in for a replacement?, the other receptacle has been busted and don't want to use as is.
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03-11-2011, 07:47 PM
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#6
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I=E/R
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 2,052
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Electrical Receptacles
Quote:
Originally Posted by donjuan69
not for sure the size feeding the receptacle, I just happened to buy a 20A replacement receptacle hoping it would help things if not anything else. I,m 99% sure it has a 15A receptacle in the box now, will it hurt to put the 20A in for a replacement?, the other receptacle has been busted and don't want to use as is.
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There is no need for 20 amp receptacles unless you have something that has a 20 amp plug. I rarely see anything with a 20 amp plug except some 120V arc welders. A 20 amp plug has one vertical pin, one horizontal pin, and the ground. Why do you believe a 20 amp receptacle would help?
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03-12-2011, 08:52 AM
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#7
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Electrician
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Near Jackson Michigan Area
Posts: 1,449
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Electrical Receptacles
By code (in US), you're not allowed to use a 20A receptacle on a 15A circuit. If you're not sure of the wire size (gauge) it's better to use a 15A receptacle.
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Kyle
Just because you can, doesn't always mean you should
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03-12-2011, 09:25 AM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Welland, Ontario
Posts: 6,036
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Electrical Receptacles
A 20 amp receptacle has a sideways slot. They make 20 amp rated 15 amp receptacles. Don't confuse the two different items.
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