I am adding two 20-amp circuits to provide a total of 6 above-the-countertop
receptacles. I will be wiring them so that every other receptacle is on a
different circuit -- so two sets of 3 receptacles per circuit. And, the
first receptacle for each circuit will be a GFI with the remaining two
receptacles on each circuit being covered by the GFI at the beginning of
that circuit.

My question is, can the two GFI's be 15-amp rated GFI receptacles, or do
they have to be 20-amp rated GFI's?

I am thinking that the GFI's and the remaining receptacles can all be 15-amp
rated receptacles, but I wanted to check here in case I am wrong about that.

On Nov 10, 3:49*pm, "RogerT" wrote:
I am adding two 20-amp circuits to provide a total of 6 above-the-countertop
receptacles. *I will be wiring them so that every other receptacle is on a
different circuit -- so two sets of 3 receptacles per circuit. *And, the
first receptacle for each circuit will be a GFI with the remaining two
receptacles on each circuit being covered by the GFI at the beginning of
that circuit.

My question is, can the two GFI's be 15-amp rated GFI receptacles, or do
they have to be 20-amp rated GFI's?

I am thinking that the GFI's and the remaining receptacles can all be 15-amp
rated receptacles, but I wanted to check here in case I am wrong about that.

Two 20 amp circuits is over kill iif you only have enough counter
space for 6 outlets mho. But you are correct, you can place multiple
15 amp receps on a 20 amp circuit.

"RogerT" wrote in message
...
I am adding two 20-amp circuits to provide a total of 6
above-the-countertop receptacles. I will be wiring them so that every
other receptacle is on a different circuit -- so two sets of 3 receptacles
per circuit. And, the first receptacle for each circuit will be a GFI with
the remaining two receptacles on each circuit being covered by the GFI at
the beginning of that circuit.

My question is, can the two GFI's be 15-amp rated GFI receptacles, or do
they have to be 20-amp rated GFI's?

I am thinking that the GFI's and the remaining receptacles can all be
15-amp rated receptacles, but I wanted to check here in case I am wrong
about that.

You are correct, the pass through is rated for 20 amps

"jamesgangnc" wrote in message
...
On Nov 10, 3:49 pm, "RogerT" wrote:
I am adding two 20-amp circuits to provide a total of 6
above-the-countertop
receptacles. I will be wiring them so that every other receptacle is on a
different circuit -- so two sets of 3 receptacles per circuit. And, the
first receptacle for each circuit will be a GFI with the remaining two
receptacles on each circuit being covered by the GFI at the beginning of
that circuit.

My question is, can the two GFI's be 15-amp rated GFI receptacles, or do
they have to be 20-amp rated GFI's?

I am thinking that the GFI's and the remaining receptacles can all be
15-amp
rated receptacles, but I wanted to check here in case I am wrong about
that.

Two 20 amp circuits is over kill iif you only have enough counter
space for 6 outlets mho. But you are correct, you can place multiple
15 amp receps on a 20 amp circuit.

A minimum of 2 -20 amp circuits is required by the Nec for kitchen counter
outlets

On Nov 10, 4:20*pm, "RBM" wrote:
"jamesgangnc" wrote in message

...
On Nov 10, 3:49 pm, "RogerT" wrote:

I am adding two 20-amp circuits to provide a total of 6
above-the-countertop
receptacles. I will be wiring them so that every other receptacle is on a
different circuit -- so two sets of 3 receptacles per circuit. And, the
first receptacle for each circuit will be a GFI with the remaining two
receptacles on each circuit being covered by the GFI at the beginning of
that circuit.

My question is, can the two GFI's be 15-amp rated GFI receptacles, or do
they have to be 20-amp rated GFI's?

I am thinking that the GFI's and the remaining receptacles can all be
15-amp
rated receptacles, but I wanted to check here in case I am wrong about
that.

Two 20 amp circuits is over kill iif you only have enough counter
space for 6 outlets mho. *But you are correct, you can place multiple
15 amp receps on a 20 amp circuit.

A minimum of 2 -20 amp circuits is required by the Nec for kitchen counter
outlets

yes, so it's not really overkill now is it.

I believe that many "15A" GFCIs are actually rated at 20A for the GFCI
portion if you read the label, so that would be OK, but read the
label.

nate

On 11/10/2010 2:49 PM, RogerT wrote:
I am adding two 20-amp circuits to provide a total of 6 above-the-countertop
receptacles. I will be wiring them so that every other receptacle is on a
different circuit -- so two sets of 3 receptacles per circuit. And, the
first receptacle for each circuit will be a GFI with the remaining two
receptacles on each circuit being covered by the GFI at the beginning of
that circuit.

My question is, can the two GFI's be 15-amp rated GFI receptacles, or do
they have to be 20-amp rated GFI's?

I am thinking that the GFI's and the remaining receptacles can all be 15-amp
rated receptacles, but I wanted to check here in case I am wrong about that.



Personally, I would install 20 amp rated because I own electrical
plug-in appliances that draw a lot of current like electric grills
and large toaster ovens.

TDD

On 2010-11-10, The Daring Dufas wrote:

Personally, I would install 20 amp rated because I own electrical
plug-in appliances that draw a lot of current like electric grills
and large toaster ovens.

The only difference between a 15 amp receptacle and a 20 amp
receptacle of a given grade(*) is the face plate, the 20 amp
receptacle has the extra slot to accept 20 amp plugs. The innards are
the same and are rated for 20 amps pass through.

Cheers, Wayne

(*) 20 amp receptacles may not be available in the cheapest grades,
but I only use the better grades that provide back pressure-plate
connections.

On 11/10/2010 5:09 PM, Wayne Whitney wrote:
On 2010-11-10, The Daring wrote:

Personally, I would install 20 amp rated because I own electrical
plug-in appliances that draw a lot of current like electric grills
and large toaster ovens.

The only difference between a 15 amp receptacle and a 20 amp
receptacle of a given grade(*) is the face plate, the 20 amp
receptacle has the extra slot to accept 20 amp plugs. The innards are
the same and are rated for 20 amps pass through.

Cheers, Wayne

(*) 20 amp receptacles may not be available in the cheapest grades,
but I only use the better grades that provide back pressure-plate
connections.


I certainly wouldn't use 59 cent receptacles. I will often install a
20 amp plug on something that I don't want anyone plugging to a 15 amp
receptacle. One of the problems I often come across in commercial
settings is a receptacle burning up. An industrial or commercial grade
20 amp receptacle solves the problem. If I have a situation where items
are being plugged in and unplugged a lot, I install a hospital grade
receptacle.

TDD

On 11/10/2010 4:20 PM, RBM wrote:
snip

Two 20 amp circuits is over kill iif you only have enough counter
space for 6 outlets mho. But you are correct, you can place multiple
15 amp receps on a 20 amp circuit.

A minimum of 2 -20 amp circuits is required by the Nec for kitchen counter
outlets

I'm about to wire up my kitchen counter. What I'd like is two pairs
of two duplex outlets. That would be a total of 8 outlets in two groups.

Should I:

A) split wire all the duplex outlets.

B) wire each duplex in the same box to a different circuit/phase.

C) wire each double duplex all to the same circuit.

It's an L counter and these outlets will be in each side of the
corner. I'll have the MW, toaster oven and coffee maker plugged in, who
knows what else. Outlets will be in the wall, a few inches over the
backsplash.

Stove on the left, sink to the right, and a duplex outlet on each end
of the L.

Does the fridge need to be on a separate circuit?

Jeff

"Jeff Thies" wrote in message
...
On 11/10/2010 4:20 PM, RBM wrote:
snip

Two 20 amp circuits is over kill iif you only have enough counter
space for 6 outlets mho. But you are correct, you can place multiple
15 amp receps on a 20 amp circuit.

A minimum of 2 -20 amp circuits is required by the Nec for kitchen
counter
outlets

I'm about to wire up my kitchen counter. What I'd like is two pairs of
two duplex outlets. That would be a total of 8 outlets in two groups.

Should I:

A) split wire all the duplex outlets.

B) wire each duplex in the same box to a different circuit/phase.

C) wire each double duplex all to the same circuit.

It's an L counter and these outlets will be in each side of the corner.
I'll have the MW, toaster oven and coffee maker plugged in, who knows what
else. Outlets will be in the wall, a few inches over the backsplash.

Stove on the left, sink to the right, and a duplex outlet on each end of
the L.

Does the fridge need to be on a separate circuit?

Jeff



The Nec doesn't require the refrigerator to be on a dedicated circuit, but
some refrigerator manufacturers do , so I routinely use a dedicated
circuit for fridges. I prefer to wire counter outlets with large boxes and
3 wire cables between all of them. This way I have both circuits at every
outlet, not knowing what may be plugged in and where, it gives me the
flexibility to adjust the two circuits

Thanks everyone for the replies. Looks like what I want to do will work and
will meet the code requirements.

"RogerT" wrote in message
...
I am adding two 20-amp circuits to provide a total of 6
above-the-countertop receptacles. I will be wiring them so that every
other receptacle is on a different circuit -- so two sets of 3 receptacles
per circuit. And, the first receptacle for each circuit will be a GFI with
the remaining two receptacles on each circuit being covered by the GFI at
the beginning of that circuit.

My question is, can the two GFI's be 15-amp rated GFI receptacles, or do
they have to be 20-amp rated GFI's?

I am thinking that the GFI's and the remaining receptacles can all be
15-amp rated receptacles, but I wanted to check here in case I am wrong
about that.

No, it is not. 15/20 Amp breakers are NOT guaranteed to have 20 amp
capability in a 15 amp component. Internal wire gages & all connections are
usually NOT capable of 20 amps because it's cheaper to make them for 15
amps. Every penny saved is important on a manufacturing line.

In ,
The Daring Dufas typed:
On 11/10/2010 5:09 PM, Wayne Whitney wrote:
On 2010-11-10, The Daring
wrote:
Personally, I would install 20 amp rated because I own
electrical plug-in appliances that draw a lot of current
like electric grills and large toaster ovens.

The only difference between a 15 amp receptacle and a 20
amp receptacle of a given grade(*) is the face plate, the
20 amp receptacle has the extra slot to accept 20 amp
plugs. The innards are the same and are rated for 20 amps
pass through. Cheers, Wayne

(*) 20 amp receptacles may not be available in the
cheapest grades, but I only use the better grades that
provide back pressure-plate connections.


I certainly wouldn't use 59 cent receptacles. I will often
install a 20 amp plug on something that I don't want anyone
plugging to a 15 amp receptacle. One of the problems I
often come across in commercial settings is a receptacle
burning up. An industrial or commercial grade 20 amp
receptacle solves the problem. If I have a situation where
items are being plugged in and unplugged a lot, I install a
hospital grade receptacle.
TDD

On 2010-11-11, Twayne wrote:

No, it is not. 15/20 Amp breakers are NOT guaranteed to have 20 amp
capability in a 15 amp component. Internal wire gages & all
connections are usually NOT capable of 20 amps because it's cheaper
to make them for 15 amps. Every penny saved is important on a
manufacturing line.

15 amp receptacles are required by UL to handle 20 amps feed through.
The UL directory information for RTRT (receptacles) does not make that
100% clear, but UL has provided further detail. See, for example,
their response included in this thread (third to last post):

http://forums.mikeholt.com/archive/i...p/t-61043.html

Cheers, Wayne

"Wayne Whitney" wrote in message
...
On 2010-11-11, Twayne wrote:

No, it is not. 15/20 Amp breakers are NOT guaranteed to have 20 amp
capability in a 15 amp component. Internal wire gages & all
connections are usually NOT capable of 20 amps because it's cheaper
to make them for 15 amps. Every penny saved is important on a
manufacturing line.

15 amp receptacles are required by UL to handle 20 amps feed through.
The UL directory information for RTRT (receptacles) does not make that
100% clear, but UL has provided further detail. See, for example,
their response included in this thread (third to last post):

http://forums.mikeholt.com/archive/i...p/t-61043.html

Cheers, Wayne

Also, if 15 amp receptacles didn't have 20 amp pass through, the Nec
wouldn't allow them on 20 amp branch circuits