electrical question

[new land owner]

I have been buying 12 2 wire to wire my camp.  I planned on 20 amp thru out the camp.  I went tonight looking for more parts and the bulk display of standard plugs all look like 15 amp?  Should the plug circuits be 15 amp?  can I run 20 amp thru the 15 amp plugs?  doesn't seem right to me?

Thanks

[bayview]

   It is only necessary to run 20 amp outlets in areas that have high amp usage.    Such as toaster ovens, microwaves, shop tools, etc.   Assuming that you are also using a 20 amp circuit breaker.   

   You can use 15 amp outlets-circuits for smaller amp usage.   Such as running table lamps, clock radios, etc.

   I always run my outlets in parallel and "pigtail" each outlet separately.   





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[new land owner]

Thanks for the info.  Other than cost is there any reason not to use 20 amp circuits and thru out the camp?

[Rob_O]

   It is only necessary to run 20 amp outlets in areas that have high amp usage.    Such as toaster ovens, microwaves, shop tools, etc.   Assuming that you are also using a 20 amp circuit breaker.   

This person is using a 15 amp outlet within a 20 amp circuit.   DON'T DO IT !!!   You would be pushing the limits of the outlet. 

Using 15A outlets on a 20A circuit is done all the time. If you have a single device that requires more juice than a standard 15A outlet can handle, it will have a 20A plug that will only fit a 20A outlet

[MountainDon]

Thanks for the info.  Other than cost is there any reason not to use 20 amp circuits and thru out the camp?

12 gauge wire is more difficult to bend, comes to my mind. Especially when there's three wires total in that Romex or whatever.

The "strip and push the wire in the hole on the back" of a 15 amp receptacle won't work with 12 gauge wire. At least not on the ones I've had. The side terminals work though in my experience.

Ant decent source should have an assortment of proper 20 amp receptacles; at least here both my Blue and Orange box stores do.

[NM_Shooter]

I wired my addition completely with #12, as the runs were a bit long from the breaker box.  The heavier wire was definitely more of a pain to work with.  Double gang boxes were not too bad, but the three and four gang boxes became a PITA. 

I have 15A outlets on my #12 wire runs most are protected by 15A breakers.