Originally Posted By: kluce This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Question for anyone. Friend of mine changed the outlets to GFI outlets where needed. He put in 15 amp GFI outlets on all of them. I checked his electrical box and some of those 15 amp GFI outlets are on 20 amp breakers with #12 wires connected to them. I know that 20 amp GFI’s were needed but will the 15 amp GFI’s outlets cause a problem? The wire is safe from the breaker but is the 15 amp GFI outlet safe?
Originally Posted By: Mike Parks This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
“A SINGLE receptacle installed on an individual (dedicated) branch circuit shall have an ampere rating of not less than that of the branch circuit.”
A 15 AMP circuit is limited to 15 AMP receptacles. Most receptacles (duplex) are rated 15 or 20 AMP. This is OK. Only a 15 AMP single is allowed here. No 20 AMP singles.
A 20 AMP circuit can be either a 15 or 20 AMP duplex receptacle or a single 20 AMP receptacle.
Originally Posted By: nlewis This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Mike,
I just looked through a box of about 30 old outlets and switches. Not one was rated for 15/20 amps. They were rated for either 15 or 20 amps as printed on the side.
"APPLICATION:
In accordance with the NEC, these devices are suitable for use in
all 15 or 20 ampere branch circuits of 125 volts in commercial,
industrial and institutional installations where UL Federal
Specification WC 596 standards of mechanical and electrical
life are specified."
I could not find the one for residential. However the same applys.
Originally Posted By: nlewis This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Not to split hairs, but…
If you look at page two of the pdf document there is a separate column for the receptacles rated for 15 amps and a separate column for the receptacles rated for 20 amps, including the diagram for the different slot configurations.
It seems that the Application statement is just a general statement for both the 15A device and 20A device.
Originally Posted By: jmyers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I do believe Mike is saying that you can use a 15 amp dulplex receptacle or a combination of them on a 20 amp circuit. If it is a 15 amp single receptacle you it has to be on a 15 amp circuit.
If you are using 20 amp receptacles they would have to be on a 20 amp circuit. The key here is that you can use the combination of 15 amp receptacles on the 20 amp circuit. If it is only one 15 amp receptacle you have to place it on a 15 amp circuit.
Neal,
Mike meant 15 or 20, not 15/20 amps which would desiginate a dual rating. 
Originally Posted By: Bob Badger This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
The NEC is confusing
Outlets are rated 15 amps or 20 amps
20 amp outlets will accept a 15 or 20 amp plug.
15 amp outlets will accept only 15 amp plugs.
The NEC allows 20 amp circuits to supply two or more 15 amp outlets.
A duplex is two outlets.
So using a 15 amp duplex on a 20 amp circuit is code compliant.
There is no need for a 20 amp outlet in a bathroom, has anyone seen an appliance you would use in a bathroom that has a 20 amp plug? 
A 120 volt 20 amp plug has one prong sideways so it will not fit in a 15 amp outlet.
The current code does require the bathroom circuit to be 20 amp.
Originally Posted By: jmyers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Bob B,
Thanks for bringing your wisdom over here to our forum, you explained that much better than any of us.
Now about that 20 amp bathroom circuit. Here is my teenager, curling iron in the bottom of the duplex, hair dryer in the top of the duplex. What do you think happens?
If you wire this circuit 15 amps, you only have 2.5 amps left for the curling iron! If you wire this circuit 20 amps you have 7.5 amps left for the curling iron.
This was real life, just so happens I used 12 wire for my entire house, with exception of the lights. It originally had a 15 amp breaker, which could withstand the current for a short period of time but not long enough to finish her pretty little head. I replaced the 15 with a 20 and wella....long enough to get her head finished! 
It is common practice for the house to be wired to one GFCI receptacle and all of the bathrooms are protected off that one receptacle. As you know, what happens when you have two people using two 1500 watt hair dryers at the same time, like getting ready for school, or work?
How about if we start requiring 25 amp bathroom circuits!
Originally Posted By: kluce This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
bwiley wrote:
Hey Kevin,
How long have you been using "Quality Home Inspections"?
Blaine
When we moved to Indiana, my wife, in the legal profession, registered "Quality Home Inspections" as a LLC with the Indiana Secretary of State's Office around 2 years ago when they informed us that no one else had the name. Since I register the name through the state, no one else can use that name in the state of Indiana. I wanted something easy to remember so people could think back and remember it. It works.
Originally Posted By: kluce This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
jmyers wrote:
Bob B,
How about if we start requiring 25 amp bathroom circuits!
Joe Myers
lol, I think 30 amps are needed in some places. Such as my house. Three outlets in each bathroom can suck up a lot of amps.  I love my girls, I love my girls, I love my girls. I have to keep on saying that. Counting backwards doesn't work anymore. lol
… nawwwwww, no way …