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Posted by on March 17, 2007, 9:25 am
wrote:
> MiamiCuse wrote:
> > I had an electrican inspect an old house I bought and he said the
> > wirings and everything are fine and great. But many of the outlets
> > and switches are getting flaky and sometimes the switches don't work.
> > We decided to replace all outlets and switches. He told me to be on
> > the safe side I should get 20 amps switches and outlets.
>
> > I went to Home Depot and found the normal 15 amp switches are $0.89 a
> > piece, the 20 amp switches are $5.89 a piece. Big difference. I
> > counted that I need about 70 outlets and 45 switches so this adds up.
> > Plus 3 way 20 amp switches are even more expensive!
>
> > I called him and he said if I have outlets I might plug in a saw or
> > vaccum cleaner than I should get 20 amps if it's a desk lamp 15 amp
> > is enough. So what is the basis for determining this if I have these
> > switches:
> > For activating garage door openers.
> > For plugging in a central vac system.
> > For high hat lights (10 of them with one switch)
> > For high hat lights (a single one)
> > For outdoor dusk light
> > For a series of 5 florescent tube lights
> > For ceiling fan that has a light attachment
> > For a hallway a set of two high hat light
>
> > Can I use some 15 amps and some 20 amps, would really like to avoid
> > the expensive one if not really necessary.
>
> > Thanks,
>
> > MC
>
> Note: the price difference is not 15 vs 20, the price difference there
> is far less. but rather you are not looking at the same grade switch and
> outlet. Chances are the reason you now have flaky switches and outlets is
> the originals are cheap contractor grade like the $0.89 ones you are seeing.
> I would never bother buying one of those. Considering the difference I
> would go for the better quality. Follow code about the 15 vs 20 issue.
>
> You don't need to replace them all at the same time. I would not. I
> would tend to replace any that I had problems with and then any critical
> ones and then as time and money moved me the rest of them.
>
> --
> Joseph Meehan
>
> Dia 's Muire duit- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
If you want, you can get heavy duty 15 amp receptacles. I'd use those
in any location where you may
frequently plug and unplug things, as opposed to say a location behind
the couch that you may only
plug a lamp cord in and leave it. You can also use them everywhere,
as they aren't anywhere near as
expensive as the prices you are seeing for 20 amp.
Also, as others have pointed out, if you elect to go with 20 amp
outlets, which I would not, unless you
have a load that requires it, the wire and breaker must be rated for
20amps. It is a code violation to put
a 20 amp outlet on a 15 amp breaker or with wire that is less than 12
gauge. If it's an old house, it is
likely the wiring is not 12.
First thing I would do is find another electrician.
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