Upgrade Receptacle on 15A breaker


I have seen suggestions for 20A upgraded AC wall receptacles to receive the power cord, but shouldn't a line with a 15A breaker go no higher than a 15A receptacle? Same answer if wire used from receptacle to breaker is 12 guage? Assume location in is in US. If 15A receptacle is required, what is a good one?
soundbit

Showing 1 response by jea48

Soundbit,

You are correct......

If the overcurrent device, breaker, is a 15 amp then the branch circuit is a 15 amp branch circuit. Even if the branch circuit wire is #12 awg.

With that said according to NEC code, only a 15 amp receptacle can be installed on a 15 amp branch circuit.

You can install two or more 15 amp receptacles, (a duplex is two), on a 20 amp branch circuit per NEC.

Per NEC a 20 amp receptacle can only be installed on a 20 amp branch circuit.
The branch circuit breaker must be a 20 amp. And the branch circuit wire must be a minimum size of #12 awg, per NEC.