AFCI/GFCI Outlet

[kasso187]

Has anyone used this type of outlet? It's apparently a combined AFCI/GFCI Outlet.

Leviton 20 Amp 125-Volt Duplex Self-Test SmartlockPro Tamper Resistant AFCI/GFCI Dual Function Outlet, Gray AGTR2-GY - The Home Depot

Today more than ever homes are equipped with important electrical safety devices to help protect people and property. Most prominent are the GFCI Receptacle, which helps protect people from shock or electrocution

www.homedepot.com

I've read somewhere that the 20amp ones don't trip as often accidentally as the 15 amp ones; any truth to that or should I go for the 15amp one?

 

[AZMSGT]

You can only use a 15amp outlet on a 15amp circuit. DO NOT install a 20amp outlet on a 15amp rated circuit.

Hire an electrician if you don’t know what you’re doing.

 

[Fishy212]

Do not mess with any electrical components unless you know exactly what you are doing.

 

[fermentedhiker]

You can only use a 15amp outlet on a 15amp circuit. DO NOT install a 20amp outlet on a 15amp rated circuit.

Hire an electrician if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Not completely accurate. You can use a 15amp outlet on a 20amp circuit and in fact most household outlet circuits are done this way.

 

[5altkreep]

Not completely accurate. You can use a 15amp outlet on a 20amp circuit and in fact most household outlet circuits are done this way.

This is bad information, and not accurate at all.
A 15 amp outlet on a 20amp circuit is against code and a legit fire hazard.

 

[AZMSGT]

Not completely accurate. You can use a 15amp outlet on a 20amp circuit and in fact most household outlet circuits are done this way.

WRONG

 

[fermentedhiker]

This is bad information, and not accurate at all.
A 15 amp outlet on a 20amp circuit is against code and a legit fire hazard.

You are wrong. It is perfectly legal and done all the time.

 

[fermentedhiker]

WRONG

Nope. You don't know what you are talking about.

 

[5altkreep]

I stand corrected.
It is acceptable if there are multiple outlets on the circuit, and only required to be a 20 outlet if its the only outlet on the circuit, per the NEC.
@fermentedhiker you are correct.

 

[Fishy212]

Just remember when you do your work yourself you are not covered in case something happens. It’s due to your own negligence. I would be very, very careful when dealing with something like that.

 

[AZMSGT]

most homes are wired with 14 guage wire and can only be a 15 amp circuit

NEC 240.4(D)(3) states that 14 AWG must be protected at 15A. You can not use 14 AWG anywhere on a circuit that has a 20A breaker. If you are putting 15 ampreceptacles on a 20 amp circuit with 12 gauge wire, then you MUST use the screw terminals, not the back stab terminal

 

[Brew12]

Let me see if I can help.

You can only use a 15amp outlet on a 15amp circuit. DO NOT install a 20amp outlet on a 15amp rated circuit.

Hire an electrician if you don’t know what you’re doing.

This is correct. A 20A outlet cannot be used on a 15A rated circuit.

Not completely accurate. You can use a 15amp outlet on a 20amp circuit and in fact most household outlet circuits are done this way.

What he said was accurate, I believe you didn't read it correctly. But you are also correct, you can use 15A receptacles on a 20A circuit as long as their are multiple outlets. You cannot do it for a single outlet.

This is bad information, and not accurate at all.
A 15 amp outlet on a 20amp circuit is against code and a legit fire hazard.

This is not correct.

I would refer you to NEC Table 210.24 where it tells you the allowable wire sizes and receptacle types allowed for 15A and 20A circuits.

 

[AZMSGT]

You can use a 15 amp outlet on a 20 amp in fact most household outlet circuits are done this way

This part of the comment is what concerns me. Most house hold circuits are 14g 15amp. That part can cause an uniformed person to believe most homes are 20 amp with just 15 amp outlets.

 

[Brew12]

This part of the comment is what concerns me. Most house hold circuits are 14g 15amp. That part can cause an uniformed person to believe most homes are 20 amp with just 15 amp outlets.

I think it depends what part of the country you live in. My home has all 15A outlets but I have a mixture of 15A and 20A breakers with 12g and 14g wiring both being used.

Edit: As a clarification, a good contractor will use 12g wiring on longer runs with a 20A breaker and 14g on shorter runs with a 15A breaker. It's not likely, but 12g wiring can cause some voltage drop issues if the total circuit length gets too long and a larger load is plugged into it.

 

[AZMSGT]

I think it depends what part of the country you live in. My home has all 15A outlets but I have a mixture of 15A and 20A breakers with 12g and 14g wiring both being used.

Perhaps I need to be more specific, normal room outlets and lighting circuits are 15a

In most homes if a 20a is used it’s for a specific circuit need and draw. So Common usage would be 15a. And for instance my Clothes washer is a 20a

Essentially, the OP needs to make sure the circuit in question is made for the outlet they intend to use.

 

[Brew12]

Perhaps I need to be more specific, normal room outlets and lighting circuits are 15a

In most homes if a 20a is used it’s for a specific circuit need and draw. So Common usage would be 15a. And for instance my Clothes washer is a 20a

I disagree. All of the bedroom outlets on the far side of my house are 12g and 20A. It's very common here. All the outlets in my living room and master bedroom are 14g, 15A because they are closer to the garage where the distribution panel is.

 

[Johnd651]

Dont forget 20a is required for places like kitchens and bathrooms... so yes most modern homes most likely have a mix of the two.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

but 12g wiring can cause some voltage drop issues if the total circuit length gets too long and a larger load is plugged into it.

To clarify, do you mean 14g where I bolded or is 12g correct in that statement??

 

[jschultzbass]

I think it depends what part of the country you live in. My home has all 15A outlets but I have a mixture of 15A and 20A breakers with 12g and 14g wiring both being used.

Edit: As a clarification, a good contractor will use 12g wiring on longer runs with a 20A breaker and 14g on shorter runs with a 15A breaker. It's not likely, but 12g wiring can cause some voltage drop issues if the total circuit length gets too long and a larger load is plugged into it.

I do as well. I only have one 15 amp 14 ga run with outlets on it though, everything else to outlets is 20 amp 12 ga. I have some breakers just for lights that are 15/14 though.

 

[jschultzbass]

Has anyone used this type of outlet? It's apparently a combined AFCI/GFCI Outlet.

Leviton 20 Amp 125-Volt Duplex Self-Test SmartlockPro Tamper Resistant AFCI/GFCI Dual Function Outlet, Gray AGTR2-GY - The Home Depot

Today more than ever homes are equipped with important electrical safety devices to help protect people and property. Most prominent are the GFCI Receptacle, which helps protect people from shock or electrocution

www.homedepot.com

I've read somewhere that the 20amp ones don't trip as often accidentally as the 15 amp ones; any truth to that or should I go for the 15amp one?

As long as you are running a 20 amp breaker then go with the 20 amp outlet. Especially if you are plugging high wattage stuff like heaters and lights into it. But make sure the breaker is 20 amp.