For a 20-amp branch circuit that serves two or more receptacle outlets, which rating is the minimum allowed for receptacle devices?

For a 20-amp branch circuit that serves two or more receptacle outlets, which rating is the minimum allowed for receptacle devices?

• A. 10 A
• B. 20 A
• C. 15 A
• D. 30 A

Answer: (C)

On a 20-amp branch circuit that serves two or more receptacle outlets, receptacle devices can be rated at 15 amps or 20 amps. The lowest acceptable rating is 15 amps. This comes from the way receptacle ratings are matched to circuit ratings: a 20-amp circuit can feed outlets that are either 15A or 20A, so long as loads don’t exceed the circuit’s capacity. A 10A receptacle would be undersized for a 20A circuit, and a 30A receptacle is not appropriate for a standard residential branch circuit. Therefore, the minimum allowed rating for these receptacles is 15 amps.

On a 20-amp branch circuit that serves two or more receptacle outlets, receptacle devices can be rated at 15 amps or 20 amps. The lowest acceptable rating is 15 amps. This comes from the way receptacle ratings are matched to circuit ratings: a 20-amp circuit can feed outlets that are either 15A or 20A, so long as loads don’t exceed the circuit’s capacity. A 10A receptacle would be undersized for a 20A circuit, and a 30A receptacle is not appropriate for a standard residential branch circuit. Therefore, the minimum allowed rating for these receptacles is 15 amps.