I just moved into a house built in ’75. It has 300 Amp service, all the breakers are 20A, all the wiring is 12AWG(that I’ve seen so far), but the switches and receptacles are 15A. Could this cause a fire at a receptacle or is there something in the receptacles and switches that blows and then needs replaced? I’ve been replacing a few here and there as needed, but would prefer to stay w/ 15A if it’s safe.
Brian
Replies
It will depend what that switch is controlling as far on and off. Does it turn on and off 18, 100 w light bulbs or is turn on and off 5, 3.5 amp motors if it is then the switch needs to be bigger (20 amp switch)
The load the switch is controlling should not exceed the ratting on the switch. If the load does not exceed the ratting on the switch there should be on trouble.
Perfectly ok to use 15amp devices on 20 amp circuits.
In fact it's the norm.
Unless you're running something off a particular outlet that draws lots of current you'll likely never hit 15 amps on a single receptacle. Most switches control a light or two, these draw nowhere near 15 amps.
Anyplace you run real high draw things off of, like a 2 HP table saw put in a 20 amp outlet. Everywhere else is ok unless there are problems.
My house is about the same age. Lots of the outlets work ok, but I've replaced several because they've become really loose. To the point plugs don't want to stay in. Just replace any loose or trouble outlets with good quality ones (15 or 20 amp), they'll last longer.
Thanks- That's what my ears wanted to hear! I'm putting 20A outlets behind both refirgerators, and also in the garage, where I will have some high draw tools. Everywhere else I'll eventually replace with 15's. I don't like to overload an outlet anyway, just because it LOOKS like a fire hazard!
Brian
Yep, looks like and is a fire hazard.
If you need a lot of good quality outlets cheap go to
http://www.cpisurplus.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=CS&Category_Code=15/20+Duplex+Rec
They've got a bunch of used ivory 20 amp outlets for $.40 ea. Heck of a deal, even if only a third of them are in good enough shape to use. There shipping charges are also reasonable.
I bought a bunch of new ones off ebay a few months ago for $1 ea. w/ shipping, and have been slowly installing them in my house.
It's perfectly ok, not only because code allows it, but because an appliance that draws more than 15 amps has a plug with differently shaped blades which will not fit in an outlet rated for 15 amps.