I recently bought a house in NW Arkansas that needs some updates, and I'm replacing all the outlets and switches. My electrician suggested that I go with 20A outlets and switches, but it seems like 15A is the more common choice and I can't find bulk packs of 20A switches. Is there a reason I should stick with 20A, considering they are generally more expensive? Am I missing something here?
3 Answers
Many homes typically stick with 15A outlets for lighting because it's more cost-effective. You’ll find that 20A outlets are mostly used for specific appliances like kitchen tools and portable air conditioners. If you're updating wiring to 20A, then it might make sense to switch outlets too, but it’s not required — especially when most household electronics are low-draw these days!
There isn’t really a need for 20A outlets for most residential lighting. They're a nice upgrade for heavy-duty areas like workshops or garages but would be overkill in living spaces. If you plan on plugging in multiple high-draw appliances, then it’s worth considering, but for general use, you might be fine with 15A.
Yeah, I've got 20A outlets in my workshop for power tools, but the rest of my house is all 15A and it works perfectly for me.
Before opting for 20A outlets, it's essential to check your house's wiring. The wire gauge should match the outlet rating; 12-gauge wire is necessary for 20A, while 14-gauge is suitable for 15A. It’s pretty standard to see 15A outlets on 20A circuits since they can handle the load, but it’s best to keep consistency to avoid any issues down the road.
Exactly! Just keep in mind that if you’re using 15A outlets on a 20A circuit, the load shouldn’t exceed 15A. It's a good practice, especially when it comes to safety.
True! If your circuits are staying at 15A, then upgrading everything to 20A isn’t necessary. It’s like overkill.