JakeO
member
Reged: 08/25/03
Posts: 196
Loc: Illinois
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We're moving into a 50 yr old house. I had a new 200amp service box put in and changed to all new swiches and receptacles. All are 20 amp circuits, but in the bedrooms I skimped on a few and installed 15amp receptacles and switchs. This okay or do I have to change them out for 20s?
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code_ceis
enthusiast
Reged: 04/29/09
Posts: 301
Loc: western ny state
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They are fine. Either a 15 or 20 duplex is allowed on a 20 amp breaker.
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MCA
Super Handyman
Reged: 03/09/06
Posts: 2382
Loc: Illinois
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Perfectly ok as mentioned, but my concern is that you said all circuits are 20 amp breakers. This is rare for lighting circuits (serving bedrooms, living rooms, etc.) to be 20 amps, most are 15 amps. If any wire is #14 (thinner that #12) then the breaker must be 15 amps.
Builders usually only use #12 wire if its required, which is the laundry circuit and kitchen receptacle circuits (required for quite a while) and bathroom receptacle circuit (required since 1996).
I recently looked at a house that was preparing for a home sale inspection, and when I opened the panel all the breakers were 20 amp, even thouse on a #14 lighting circuit. And the main 200 amp breaker was feed by wire rated for only 100 amps. Sadly this was installed by an electrican (obviously not one that cares about doing whats right) on the side, with no inspection.
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JakeO
member
Reged: 08/25/03
Posts: 196
Loc: Illinois
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thanks Code Ceis and MCA. I thought i remembered hearing 15amp was okay but started second guessing myself.
#12 wire? I used #16 because it's easier to work with........  kidding ... Strangely enough all are #12, even the receptacles for the bedroom nite stands.
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Gizmologist09
member
Reged: 02/08/09
Posts: 187
Loc: Palmdale, California USA
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My whole house is 12 except for switch legs. I like the slight overkill as it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.
If you do it cheap you will always do it twice, IF you get the chance.
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SpeedyPetey
Master Sparkie
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 5032
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Quote:
My whole house is 12 except for switch legs.
If this is on 20A circuits this is a violation
If this is on 15A circuits then you wasted money on the #12 wire.
Using #14 for certain circuits in a home is NOT doing it "cheap". Using #14 in a home for lighting circuits and some receptacle circuits RARELY has to do with money.
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