Maximum Draw on a Household Circuit?

Question

I'm no electrician so I thought I post a question. What's the maximum draw that can be connected to a standard household circuit? I have a 200amp panel and just installed a circuit with numerous outlets and a fluorescent light fixture on a 15amp breaker with 12/2 Romex. I put two duplex outlets together so I would have four connections in the basement, and then the wire was run to the garage to power the light as well as one duplex outlet. Just curious as I don't want to get in trouble. Thanks...

keith · Accepted Answer

Define "standard". In the US, few 120V outlets are rated for more than

15A, though many circuits are rated for 20A. Circuits are rated by (and protected for) their wire size.

Why 15A?

What's the total draw? If it's less than 15A, you should be fine. THough I'd have run a seperate feed to the garage.

Pete J. Ahacich · Answer

First of all, you could use a 20a breaker with 12/2.

120VAC 20 amp circuit per 500ft/^2 (Ref Table 220-3-b 1996 NEC) (Sorry. I don't have a current code book handy to give you a ref # from.)

120Vx .80 = 16 amps; 16a/1.5a per light/outlet allows you 10 devices max.

PCK · Answer

really here any 20 amp circuit would require t-slot receptaclesand they allow 12 devices (100 watt per device loaded to 80 %)on a 15 amp circuit. unless the load is fixed and then no limit to numberof devices so long as 80%. don`t ask about electric heat as now theyallow 100% circuit loading on fixed electric heat.

HorneTD · Answer

> First of all, you could use a 20a breaker with 12/2. > > 120VAC 20 amp circuit per 500ft/^2  (Ref Table 220-3-b  1996 NEC) > (Sorry. I don't have a current code book handy to give you a ref # > from.) > 120Vx .80 = 16 amps;  16a/1.5a per light/outlet allows you 10 devices > max. >There is no maximum number of receptacle or lighting outlets prescribed by code in the US NEC for residential occupancies.  The 180 volt ampere rule applies only to non residential occupancies.

phil-news-nospam · Answer

|> First of all, you could use a 20a breaker with 12/2.|>|> 120VAC 20 amp circuit per 500ft/^2  (Ref Table 220-3-b  1996 NEC)  (Sorry. |> I don't have a current code book handy to give you a ref # from.)|>|> 120Vx .80 = 16 amps;  16a/1.5a per light/outlet allows you 10 devices max.|>|>| and they allow 12 devices (100 watt per device loaded to 80 %)| on a 15 amp circuit. unless the load is fixed and then no limit to number| of devices so long as 80%. don`t ask about electric heat as now they| allow 100% circuit loading on fixed electric heat. 100% circuit loading is allowed for certain cases.  Generally when thecircuit supplies a single load only, and that load is normally expected tooperate intermittently (such as a home electric central heat), running at100% is safe.  The 80% is otherwise a reasonable margin for the unexpectedsuch as variations in manufacturing tolerance and diversity in unplannedloading.In reality, you could run 30 amps on AWG 14 wire, and 40 amps on AWG 12wire, or...

Al · Answer

Wall socket outlets are rated at 7.5 amps each for a total of 15 amps per wall outlet. At least that is what the imprint on some of mine says.Al

Bud · Answer

Far as I know the UL standard for a 15A duplex receptacle is 15A per half and 20A total (if they are on a 20A circcuit). They are tested at 150% of rating.Bud--

Maximum Draw on a Household Circuit?

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