[overlandflyer]

just in case i'm not the last person on earth to know these exist. looking forward to not having to play musical plugs in the kitchen anymore.

not a big deal, but what does it mean to be tamper resistant?
i have no kids, but i remember being one...

 

[rjniles]

It means it is hard to put a plug into. A safety feature required by code to protect children and stupid people. That is a 20 amp receptacle and can only be used on a 20 amp circuit. You can use a 15 amp version on both 15 and 20 amp circuits. But then your kitchen should have 20 amp circuits.

 

[Oso954]

Tamper resistant means that it's got some type of blocking mechanism so children cannot insert a knife,screwdriver, paper clip etc into the slots and get shocked. There is some type of blocking mechanism that requires the two plug prongs to be inserted simultaneously. I can't really see it in that photo, but suspect the white plastic in the right hand slot has something to do with it.

If you look at this one from a different mfg you can see that each slot has a plastic "door" in it to prevent the single slot insertion.
https://www.amazon.com/TOPGREENER-Tamper-Resistant-Receptacles-Compatible-Smartphones/dp/B079H4SY2K

Some mfgs are also using similar doors for weather resistance, and for a combination of WR and TR.

 

[JLawrence08648]

Get the non tamper resistant outlet, the tamper outlets are a nuisance and I still have trouble plugging things in.

Look at the wiring, I prefer to match 14 gauge with 15 amp outlets, 12 gauge with 20 amp, as said you can use 15 amp outlets with either. The "T" slot let's you know you have heavier, thicker wiring than 14 gauge to run high draw tools, equipment, which is dangerous if you don't.

 

[Oldmaster]

I not aware of anything in the NEC that prohibits 20 amp receptacles on a 15 amp circuit.

 

[overlandflyer]

Get the non tamper resistant outlet, the tamper outlets are a nuisance and I still have trouble plugging things in. ...

i actually did not see one (not T/R), but once this goes in, the AC will be pretty much set since i won't have to swap a charging plug in/out anymore... the USB charging ports are the only outlets that will be transient.


good to know, though.

 

[betelgeuse]

I not aware of anything in the NEC that prohibits 20 amp receptacles on a 15 amp circuit.

See Table 210.21(B)(3) Receptacle Ratings for Various Size Circuits.
Also Table 210.24 Summary of Branch-Circuit Requirements.


It's not allowed by either Table

 

[Wiredindallas]

Not sure the specific NEC code, but if you have a 20 amp receptacle you need to have wiring capacity to supply its rated capacity. A device with a 20 amp configuration could be plugged into it overloading the 15 amp wiring.

 

[jreagan]

Not sure the specific NEC code, but if you have a 20 amp receptacle you need to have wiring capacity to supply its rated capacity. A device with a 20 amp configuration could be plugged into it overloading the 15 amp wiring.

The 15A breaker that protects the wire will trip.

 

[overlandflyer]

so i want to apologize for turning what i thought might just be an informative post into a discussion about codes. i can see where the physical layout of a 20A outlet might be misleading to an uninformed user, but frankly isn't the main use of a circuit breaker to protect against a dead short? for a 20A device to operate dangerously with 15A (code) wiring, would take an incredible worst case scenario of internal conduit temperature.


code is the law and it should be followed. code will always side with safety regardless of the logic. code carefully calculates what is safe... then doubles it.