In one of the bedrooms all of the duplex receptacles are 20 amps. Do I need a 20 amp switch?
Also, I have a garage which is about 30 feet from the house and the wire that goes underground is either 10 or 12 gauge. Do I need a 20 amp switch for that? I always thought that if you have 12 gauge wire the receptacles or switches should always be 20.
Also since my garage is all 12 or 10 gauge do the switches in the garage have to be 20 amp? I know NEC makes exception to this rule, but what is the correct thing to use?
Best Answer
Due to a special exception (NEC 210.21.B.3), you are allowed to use 15A receptacles (plural) on a 20A circuit. In order to be UL listed, all 15A receptacles must prove they can handle 20A in all respects (except 15A to any one plug, since that still means 15A).
Almost every 120V receptacle is a duplex (double). If you have a simplex (single) 120V/15A receptacle, that is special. As Ed Beal notes, since only one thing can be plugged in and it must be <=15A, the breaker must be 15A. NEC 210.21.B.1.
if you switch a hardwired load, the switch only needs to be rated for the hardwired load.
If you switch a single receptacle, the switch must be rated for the maximum of that receptacle (perhaps 15A). If one switch controls two or more receptacles, you could plug anything in there, and the switch must be rated for whatever the breaker is rated for.