Mike Dolt Enterprises
Mike Dolt Enterprises
User: Booma5150, Location: USA
Asked on: Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 3:19 pm EDT
Answered on: Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 3:27 pm EDT
Question: Hello. I have a 15A breaker with #14 wire which has several 15A receptacles. All good. Is it a code violation to replace one of the 15A receptacles with a 20A receptacle? Keeping the 15A breaker & #14 wire, only swapping one receptacle. I understand you can now plug in something that is rated for 20A, but the 15A breaker will still protect the wire. I just want the 20A rating and the harder prong force of the 20A recpt vs the 15A. No need to go into the why would you do this, just is it a code violation.
Yes, replacing a 15A receptacle on a 15A circuit with a 20A receptacle is a code violation.Here's why, and the specific code references:* NEC 210.21(B)(3): This section of the National Electrical Code (NEC) specifically addresses receptacles connected to branch circuits. It states that a single receptacle connected to a 15-ampere branch circuit shall have an ampere rating of not more than that of the branch circuit.In simpler terms: the receptacle rating cannot exceed the circuit's ampacity. In your case, the 15A circuit cannot have a 20A receptacle as the only receptacle on that outlet.You are correct the breaker will protect the wire. However, the issue is the receptacle itself. A 20A receptacle is designed to accept 20A plugs. If a 20A appliance is plugged into that receptacle (even if it's used with #14 wire), the user might assume that the circuit can handle 20A. Flag for review