Maximum Draw on a Household Circuit?

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.

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.

|> 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. |>

|>

100% circuit loading is allowed for certain cases. Generally when the circuit supplies a single load only, and that load is normally expected to operate intermittently (such as a home electric central heat), running at 100% is safe. The 80% is otherwise a reasonable margin for the unexpected such as variations in manufacturing tolerance and diversity in unplanned loading.

In reality, you could run 30 amps on AWG 14 wire, and 40 amps on AWG 12 wire, or more, and not burn it up ... in most cases. The electrical code standards build in a good margin of safety to cover lots of variations that could all add up to turn a marginally safe situation into a very unsafe one.

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

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--