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using 20 breaker on 15 amp wire

Yahoo Message Number: 93139
It is permissible to use a 20 amp breaker on 15 amp wire with multiple 15 amp receptacles as long as the load on any one 15 amp receptacle is no more than 15 amps. See the highlighted sections in the NEC Code below:

Re: using 20 breaker on 15 amp wire

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93140
Yes you can use 15 amp devices on a 20 amp circuit. Only instance you can have a 14 gauge wire protected by a 20 amp overcurrent device is in limited power circuits (motor controls).
The majority of residential devices (plugs) are 15 amp, commonly backed by a 20 amp breaker. The wire feeding the circuit is #12.
I think the question was can I pull out this 15 amp breaker with #14 wire and swap in a 20 amp breaker, no.
Nathan
98 Allure
 

Re: using 20 breaker on 15 amp wire

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93142
NO!


You cannot use a 20 amp fuse or breaker on 14 gauge wire. You can use multiple 15 amp "devices" like outlets, but the wire must be of sufficient ampacity to match the breaker size. 14 gauge wire is fused at 15 Amps...no more, 12 gauge is fused at 20 Amps.

Scott