North Carolina Department of Insurance Office of State Fire Marshal Risk Management State Electrical Division 2017 State Electrical Code 210.21(B)(3) - 15 Amp Duplex Receptacles on 20 Amp Circuits

Notice: The following illustrations are approved by the State Electrical Division of the North Carolina Department of Insurance, Office of State Fire Marshal. These illustrations are intended to demonstrate but not supersede the official written interpretations found at the following web address: http://www.ncdoi.com/OSFM/State_Electrical_Division//Default.aspx?field1=State_Electrical_Code_and_Interpretations Joseph Starling Chief State Electrical Engineer & Inspector Illustrated by: Danny Thomas State Electrical Inspector

Date: June 12, 2018 2017 Electrical Code Subject: 15 Amp Receptacles on 20 Amp Circuits Section 210.21(B)(3) Question: Is a duplex receptacle considered one receptacle or two? May a duplex receptacle be installed on a 20-ampere circuit if the receptacle is rated at a maximum of 15 amperes?

Date: June 12, 2018 2017 Electrical Code Subject: 15 Amp Receptacles on 20 Amp Circuits Section 210.21(B)(3) Answer: A duplex receptacle is two receptacles and is not a single receptacle. Therefore, the rules that apply to single outlet(s) on individual branch circuits do not apply. A 15 ampere duplex receptacle may be installed on an individual branch circuit rated at 20 amperes per Table 210.21(B)(3)

Two Contact Devices on Yoke Single Contact Device on Yoke Date: June 12, 2018 2017 Electrical Code Subject: 15 Amp Receptacles on 20 Amp Circuits Section 210.21(B)(3) Receptacle. A contact device installed at the outlet for the connection of an attachment plug, or for the direct connection of electrical utilization equipment designed to mate with the corresponding device. A single receptacle is a single contact device with no other contact device on the same yoke. A multiple receptacle is two or more contact devices on the same yoke. (CMP-18) Single Receptacle Duplex Receptacle Two Contact Devices on Yoke Single Contact Device on Yoke

Date: June 12, 2018 2017 Electrical Code Subject: 15 Amp Receptacles on 20 Amp Circuits Section 210.21(B)(3) 210.21(B) (3) Receptacle Ratings. Where connected to a branch circuit supplying two or more receptacles or outlets, receptacle ratings shall conform to the values listed in Table 210.21(B)(3), or, where rated higher than 50 amperes, the receptacle rating shall not be less than the branch-circuit rating.