I'm upgrading the outlets in my home to ones that include USB ports. The USB outlets I chose are rated for 15A/4.8A. I've already replaced six of the most frequently used outlets, but I've just realized that the standard outlets I was replacing are a mix of 15A and 20A. Am I in a lot of trouble here?
3 Answers
If you're in Canada, you might want to look into the CEC rules because it doesn’t allow 15A receptacles on 20A circuits. If that's the case, you’ll definitely need to switch to 20A USB outlets to stay safe. Better to be safe than sorry!
From what I know, you’re actually allowed to have multiple 15A outlets on a 20A circuit. It’s pretty standard in places like kitchens. But just be cautious and remember that if you’re going to have just one outlet on a 20A circuit, it has to be rated for 20A.
You're not totally in deep trouble, but it's something to keep an eye on. The main concern is putting a 15A receptacle on a 20A circuit. The breaker is set to trip at 20 amps, but a 15A outlet can overheat and create a fire hazard if the breaker doesn't trip in time. You should definitely check which outlets are on those 20A circuits and get some 20A-rated USB outlets installed instead.