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Posted by dnoyeB on April 12, 2007, 9:19 am
On Fri, 16 Mar 2007 22:39:09 -0400, 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.
>
There is nothing more safe about a 20A switch over a 15A switch.
> 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 think you looked in the wrong place. Sometimes they have switches in a
bin for $0.90 and then switches in a box for $3.00. I was never able to
tell the difference... Probably quality, but certainly not amp rating.
>
> 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:
Are you switching your outlets on and off? I think 20A refers to the
outlet, not to the switches. Anyway, an appliance that requires a 20A
outlet will have a special plug. These are typically industrial versions
of stuff and very uncommon in the consumer area. You'll be hard pressed
to find a single one in Home Depot or lowes.
>
> 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.
>
The outlet should match the wiring. No point in having an outlet thats
stronger than the wiring to it. Stick with 15 if thats what you have now.
> Thanks,
>
> MC
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