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	Subject - RECEPTICALS joe funk DO COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS REQUIRE A 20 AMP RECEPTICAL? HERE IN OK. WE INSTALL 15 AMP RECPT IN HOUSING. kbsparky Joe: It was my understanding that Oklahoma has a 12 gauge minimum requirement statewide. At least, that is what I was told 25 years ago when I visited there. That should translate into very few 15 Amp circuits. While you are permitted to use 15 Amp receptacles on a 20 Amp circuit, the maximum load on any one outlet is restricted to 12 Amps. The Code does not differentiate between residential or commercial in its chart showing the maximum connected loads on cord-and-plug connected outlets. See NEC 210.21(B)(2). joe funk THANKS FOR THE INFO. WELLSEROUSKI My understanding is that you are only required to put a 20-amp rated receptical if the outlet is the only one on the circuit and is a single outlet ( not duplex ) such as for a washer in residential and is fed by # 12 on a 20-amp breaker. So if done properly an electrician may look at the device and conclude that it's on it's own 20-amp circuit. If you have a duplex outlet rated at 20-amps you might conclude in your mind that the outlet is split with two circuits going to two seperate 20-amp breakers. The single outlet implies on it's own breaker. Sound right? jle In metro Atlanta, you will be hard pressed to find a 15 amp circuit in a comm. or ind. facility. In general, all general purpose recept.in new construction are spec. @ 20 amps. P.S.; Great site, very good topics with intelligent replies jle Sorry, all comm. and industr. new construction spec. general purpose recept. @ 20 amps. stedder I think it just makes sense anyway, the only place to not use 20 amp is if specified / labeld as 15 max ocpd, otherwise 20 amp gen use, etc. Wirenutz iirc, this is where the Canadians will up the ante' on any device derating ~W~