clare at snyder.on.ca wrote:
20A circuits have a convenience factor with the ability to delivery a
considerable greater amount of power to a given situation. A typical
example today would be a home office with multiple monitors, printers,
computers and accessories in addition to whatever other routine loads
(vacuum cleaners, electric heaters, etc.) are placed on the circuit.

The CORRECT solution to this situation is a split 15 amp circuit.
15 amps to the top outlet, 15 to the bottom. Done by using 14/3 cable
and double breakers. The legal way is a "tied breaker" which means if
you blow one, it trips the other as well. This is to prevent half of
the box being live.
Untied breakers are often used for this reason.

c:

Splitting circuits is nice if you want lots of switched receptacles,
but
it should be borne in mind that using 14/3, and running from outlet to
outlet,
the boxes will need to be 20 cu in. We will also be dealing with a
multiwire circuit, which does save power and material cost, but adds
its
own set of problems if the neutral goes bad (which shouldn't happen if
the job is done right, but the point is that the potential is there.
240v
potential, that is. )

Another point is that a tied breaker is desirable for safety, but
takes away
one advantage of wiring a room with more than one circuit. You can't
shut down / trip one without going dark, unless you add yet another.

I wouldn't say there's one "CORRECT" solution, but a large set of
correct solutions that may be evaluated for any given case. Every
solution has its advantages and drawbacks.


14 AWG /is/ easier to work with. It's not a huge difference, but it's
noticeable. It also saves copper, and costs less. These things add
up. I use it when I can.

I'd advise the OP to go with 20A circuits for the basement, for the
same reason as the Code requires 20A small appliance circuits. One
might want a workshop down there some day. On the other hand,
there's no reason not to use 15A receptacles on a 20A circuit if the
particular use doesn't require 20A.