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switching load of < 15A on 20A circuit

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switching load of < 15A on 20A circuit deans@wdeans.com 09-10-2006
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Posted by deans@wdeans.com on September 10, 2006, 3:56 am
Greetings,

Can I switch a load of < 15A (say a baseboard heater) on 20A circuit
with a 15A rated switch or does the switch need to be rated at 20A
because that is the rating of the circuit?

Thank you for your time,
William


Posted by sosessyithurts on September 10, 2006, 9:03 am

deans@wdeans.com wrote:
> Greetings,
>
> Can I switch a load of < 15A (say a baseboard heater) on 20A circuit
> with a 15A rated switch or does the switch need to be rated at 20A
> because that is the rating of the circuit?
>
> Thank you for your time,
> William

oh hell yeah

that's like saying, I used to put gas in a 15 gallon tank.. but my
fifteen gallon tank caught a hole in it.. but I have a 20 gallon tank..
do you think the 20 gallon tank will hold 15 gallons...

oh hell yeah

don't worry, you won't burn the house down

#2... if you were to say.. can I put a 20A rated appliance on a 15A
circuit I would be worried


Posted by deans@wdeans.com on September 10, 2006, 10:26 am

sosessyithurts wrote:
> deans@wdeans.com wrote:
> > Greetings,
> >
> > Can I switch a load of < 15A (say a baseboard heater) on 20A circuit
> > with a 15A rated switch or does the switch need to be rated at 20A
> > because that is the rating of the circuit?
> >
> > Thank you for your time,
> > William
>
> oh hell yeah
>
> that's like saying, I used to put gas in a 15 gallon tank.. but my
> fifteen gallon tank caught a hole in it.. but I have a 20 gallon tank..
> do you think the 20 gallon tank will hold 15 gallons...
>
> oh hell yeah
>
> don't worry, you won't burn the house down
>
> #2... if you were to say.. can I put a 20A rated appliance on a 15A
> circuit I would be worried

Greetings,

I am sorry but I do not follow your logic. What I am saying is not
crazy. I have several lamps with 18 AWG cord plugged into 20A
circuits. Some of these lamp cords even have inline switches which
appear to be rated at only 6A ( Please see
http://dale-electric.com/detail.php?itemnumber=70450-M ). I am hoping
to place a 15A switch on a 20A circuit to switch a fixed load < 15A.
The code may or may not allow it (which is what I am trying to
determine here) but the danger involved with such an installation is
certainly quite low even if it turns out it is now allowed.

Thanks again,
William


Posted by Justin West on September 10, 2006, 11:09 am
I'm not sure I followed their logic. However, the Canadian Electrical
Code-2002 does state that you must be providing currect carrying
conductors that can handle the maximum possible load requirement
available.

In your case since you have 15a breaker switch the total maximum
carrying capacity is 15a. This requires a 14AWG conductor.

Your question is a little confusing though. You say a "20A circuit"?
Is it your intent to carry a full 20amps? (I don't think it is as you
also mention "can I switch a load of <15A").

If you have a 15a requiring load, and a 15amp breaker, and at least
14AWG wiring you have nothing to do with 20 amps whatsoever. Mind you,
I don't profess to being an expert and generally always say call your
AHJ.

Regards, JW

deans@wdeans.com wrote:
> sosessyithurts wrote:
> > deans@wdeans.com wrote:
> > > Greetings,
> > >
> > > Can I switch a load of < 15A (say a baseboard heater) on 20A circuit
> > > with a 15A rated switch or does the switch need to be rated at 20A
> > > because that is the rating of the circuit?
> > >
> > > Thank you for your time,
> > > William


Posted by sosessyithurts on September 10, 2006, 12:56 pm

deans@wdeans.com wrote:

> Greetings,
>15A switch on a 20A circuit to switch a fixed load < 15A.

just look at the charge-flow you got there

source
15A
20A
15A - switch

you actually cannot deliver more than 15A to the 20A circuit

yule be fine


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