Hi Rocky, Article 210 of the NEC lists the requirements for branch circuits and associated receptacles. Table 210.21(B)(2) shows the receptacle load limits and section 210.23 discusses the permissible loads in more detail.
On a related topic, I recently had a discussion with a colleague regarding the plug for a certain North American hand-held hair dryer. The ratings on it are 1875 watts, 125 volts. That puts it right at a 15 amps. However the plug is an ungrounded polarized NEMA 1-15 type with a built in GFIC. This allows it to be plugged into any standard 15 amp receptacle that you find in the US. Knowing the 80% requirement for cord-and-plug-connected loads, I questioned how an NRTL could list this device. It would seem that a 5-20 plug (perpendicular blades) would be necessary so that a 20 amp receptacle would have to be used. Our thoughts ranged from the cynical "money talks" theory to a more logically based engineering justification. (The code says that bathroom receptacles must be on their own 20 amp branch with no other receptacles.) But we never came to a final conclusion on why an NRTL would allow a 15 amp plug-and-cord load to be plugged into a 15 amp receptacle. Maybe our peers on the EMC-PSTC listserv have some ideas? Regards, J.P. Hare From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Gonzalez, Kenneth P (Rocky) Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2003 6:10 PM To: [email protected] Subject: AC outlet max current Group It was my understanding that one could only draw 80% of the max current from an AC wall outlet. Is this true? Where does the NEC specify this? Thanks to all, Kenneth Gonzalez Intergraph Solutions Group This message is from the IEEE EMC Society Product Safety Technical Committee emc-pstc discussion list. Visit our web site at: http://www.ewh.ieee.org/soc/emcs/pstc/ To cancel your subscription, send mail to: [email protected] with the single line: unsubscribe emc-pstc For help, send mail to the list administrators: Ron Pickard: [email protected] Dave Heald: [email protected] For policy questions, send mail to: Richard Nute: [email protected] Jim Bacher: [email protected] Archive is being moved, we will announce when it is back on-line. All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieeecommunities.org/emc-pstc This message is from the IEEE EMC Society Product Safety Technical Committee emc-pstc discussion list. Visit our web site at: http://www.ewh.ieee.org/soc/emcs/pstc/ To cancel your subscription, send mail to: [email protected] with the single line: unsubscribe emc-pstc For help, send mail to the list administrators: Ron Pickard: [email protected] Dave Heald: [email protected] For policy questions, send mail to: Richard Nute: [email protected] Jim Bacher: [email protected] Archive is being moved, we will announce when it is back on-line. All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieeecommunities.org/emc-pstc
