Amping Up

sdbrown1

Hello and thanks ahead of time.

In reference to a 20 amp circuit, does this mean the sum amperage of all appliances connected should not excede 20 amps, or that no one item shall excede 20 amps. (almost the same thing)

jproffer

It means the sum of all outlets **appliances or devices used at the same time** (which does not mean ONLY receptacles) on the circuit.

**Edited for our beloved union electricians so that they may understand.

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Jim P.

Speedy Petey

This question cannot be answered as asked. It is way to vague.

Of course the amperage of applainces can be more than 20 amps. You just can't use them all at the same time. Unless of course they are hard wired. Or there is a mix of hard wired and receptacles.
Then there is stuff like electric heat, which is limited to 80%. Same goes for a water heater, and anything else considered a continuous load.

For receptacle circuits you can have 978 amps worth of things plugged in if you want.

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reveivl

Dammit, I'll have to redesign, I was counting on 979.

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Sparky Joe

So suppose I have three 'outlets' in my bedroom on a 15 amp circuit......Now suppose I have 3 vacuums in my household and like to use them all in in one bedroom at a time?

Now, by someones logic..........(#2) I need every circuit dedicated???
But I don't see this as true. Number of circuits is based on sqaure footage, though I'll point out that the NEC requires too few circuits based on square footage.

jproffer

Receptacle = "the thingy that the toaster plugs into"

Outlet = Lights, Receptacles, Stove, Oven, Dryer...or any other way that electricity is LET...OUT.

I'm surprised you didn't catch that Joe, being a union electrician and all.

Hang on I'll edit the other post just for you Joe.

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Jim P.

Liquid Force

Yeah that is funny... Also, correct me if I'm wrong but I believe square footage is only used to come up with a number of circuits to base service size calcultions off of. You always end up with more circuits than your 3w(resi) per sq ft lighting and small appliance circuits and everything else says you need. Recepts you count as 180va load, and you get 1800va to a 15a circuit, so 10 recepts per 15a circuit, 13 for a 20a circuit etc..

you can't put an appliance with a nameplate amperage rating higher than the ampacity of the circuit... you can have a dozen 20a appliances on a 20a circuit, as long as they are cord and plug connected. If they are hardwired it dependsd on what they are and how many, and there are demand factors that apply. So in many cases yes, the sum amperage of all apliances will exceed the amperage of the circuit, but one appliance alone can not.

Eddy Current

Union electrition= licenced electrician, takes out permits, follows code

Non-union electrician= plumber or drywaller doing electrical work


Only joking.....please don't anyone take it seriously

Speedy Petey

How can we take you seriously with an avatar like that?

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Sparky Joe

I like it Eddy It's been my stanpoint since day one

And i address that JP in the reason for my edit, just didn't want to confuse the original poster to think there is a difference.

Thanks for the definition btw, I know that helped many people that didn't what the word 'outlet' means as related to electrical

Magnettica

I'm sure there are plenty of non-union electricians that know the difference between an electrical outlet and an electrical receptacle.

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Sparky Joe

But do they know a receptacle is an outlet?
In other words, every box you install is an outlet.

Speedy Petey

Ummm, Joe, a switch is NOT an outlet. It is a control.
So not every box is an outlet.

Man, this thread is going places.

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jproffer

I'll edit the first one....again

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Jim P.

boman47k

Hmm, a control that lets the power out through the switch to the rec.

In that sense, I can see it as an outlet in a series of outlets. Never thought about it. Just a bored painter here that does his own elctrical.

jbfan

Recepts you count as 180va load, and you get 1800va to a 15a circuit, so 10 recepts per 15a circuit, 13 for a 20a circuit etc..

The 180va load is not counted in resi. work.

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thom

There may be local amendments. Check with your state, county, city first.

My state amended the rules to max at 10 outlets (lights or plugs) on a circuit (residential). It doesn't matter if the circuit is 15A or 20A, 10 outlets.

Sparky Joe

"Outlet-A point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment"

I agree Pete, but 'a point at which current is taken' raises a question. Is the transformer then the only outlet?
I've always considered an outlet as an accessible place to tap off the power system such as a box.

Speedy Petey

This is a discussion that can go on for days, but I'll reply.

What if that box only contained a switch loop? You could not then take power. See the point.

I know this has been debated at great length. Maybe I'll dig up an old post.

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