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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 Toller on September 10, 2006, 11:02 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?
>
I don't understand the gas tank story either.
No, you can't use the 15a switch. If you have a 20a breaker, everything on
the circuit must be 20a. Either get a 20a switch or a 15a breaker.

It is probably one of the more trivial code violations; after all, what
would happen if you actually put 20a through the switch? But it is still a
violation.



Posted by Doug Miller on September 10, 2006, 12:26 pm
>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?

Per Code, switches are to be rated for the loads they control -- so if you're
switching a load of less than 15A, it's ok to use a 15A rated switch. Even on
a 20A circuit.

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.

Posted by Toller on September 10, 2006, 3:08 pm

>>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?
>
> Per Code, switches are to be rated for the loads they control -- so if
> you're
> switching a load of less than 15A, it's ok to use a 15A rated switch. Even
> on
> a 20A circuit.
>
I am sure you are right... but it doesn't make sense. Can you document
that?



Posted by Doug Miller on September 10, 2006, 4:14 pm
>
>>>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?
>>
>> Per Code, switches are to be rated for the loads they control -- so if
>> you're
>> switching a load of less than 15A, it's ok to use a 15A rated switch. Even
>> on
>> a 20A circuit.
>>
>I am sure you are right... but it doesn't make sense. Can you document
>that?
>

2005 NEC, Art. 410.14

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.

Posted by deans@wdeans.com on September 10, 2006, 11:34 pm

Doug Miller 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?
> >>
> >> Per Code, switches are to be rated for the loads they control -- so if
> >> you're
> >> switching a load of less than 15A, it's ok to use a 15A rated switch. Even
> >> on
> >> a 20A circuit.
> >>
> >I am sure you are right... but it doesn't make sense. Can you document
> >that?
> >
>
> 2005 NEC, Art. 410.14
>
> --
> Regards,
> Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
>
> It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.


Thank you very much Doug. Your responses are always of the highest
quality.


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