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Electrical Wire and Cable


How Many Receptacle Outlets Are Allowed Per Circuit

How many receptacles can you wire onto a 20amp circuit breaker? How to Know the Number of Outlets to Wire on a Circuit.


Electrical Video #1

Generator Automatic Transfer Switch
and Electric Circuit Sub Panel

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Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example


Guide to Wiring Outlet Circuits
Electrical Question: How many receptacle outlets can you wire onto a 20amp circuit breaker?

This electrical wiring question came from:
David, a Handyman from Millmont, Pennsylvania.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question David.

The Number of Electric Outlets on a Circuit

Application: Wiring Receptacle Outlets.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced. This electrical wiring project is best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and a Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools and the number of outlets that will be replaced.
Precaution: Identify the outlet circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.
Notice: Installing additional outlet wiring should be done with a permit and be inspected.

Planning Electrical Wiring for Outlet Circuits

Electrical Tip when Planning Electrical Wiring for Outlet Circuits

See more about Wiring for Outlet Circuits

Electrical Outlet Wiring
outlet-wiring

Electrical Circuit Breakers
2-pole-circuit-breaker

You identified your project to be about Outlet Wiring,
so you might find this information useful:

How to Install Electrical Outlets
Outlet Wiring


The following may also be helpful for you:

Electrical Video #2

How to Wire a GFCI Outlet

without a Ground Wire

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» AskTheElectrician «

NOTE: A List of All my Helpful Videos
Will Display at the End of This Video
Keep Watching So I Can Help You Wire it Right!

Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
with my Online Video Course:
Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring:

» You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! «

Here's How to Do It:
Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book

Great for any Home Wiring Project.
  electrical wiring  

Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring

Perfect for Homeowners, Students,
Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians
Includes:
Wiring GFCI Outlets
Wiring Home Electric Circuits
120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits
Wiring Light Switches
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet
How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring
Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring
NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.



Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right

The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!

The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.

Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!

The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..

The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.


More articles about Electrical Wiring, Receptacle Outlet Circuits and Home Electrical Wiring:
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Replacement Ceiling Fan Wiring Configurations Why Outlet Adapters are Not Safe and What the Alternatives Are


FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

6 Responses to “How Many Receptacle Outlets Are Allowed Per Circuit”
  1. Jason says:

    You need to complete an electrical layout of a new single family residence. You plan to locate 5 separtate duplex receptacles on a branch circuit that feeds two walls of a large living room area. The circuit will be fed by a single AFCI-type 20A circuit breaker. Is it allowable to install 15A rated receptacles in all five locations on that circuit?

  2. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Jason,
    Yes – with the AFCI circuit that you are referring to 15 amp receptacles may be installed on a 20 amp circuit, however 20 amp receptacles may not be installed on a 15 amp AFCI circuit.
    Dave

  3. Robert says:

    Can you wire two outlets, a vent fan, a vanity light, and a recessed light for a bathroom all on one GFCI 20 amp breaker?

  4. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Robert,
    Although a 20 amp circuit should handle all of those devices, it is best to have the GFCI protected outlets on a separate circuit. However if the vent fan or light are located over the tub or shower then they must be GFCI protected as well. The concern is that the vanity light should not go off if the GFCI circuit is tripped off because someone will be left in a dark bathroom. I like to wire the circuit from a regular breaker to the first outlet location which would be a GFCI, and configure the wiring connections to provide GFCI protection as required, which is a matter of branching out to the devices from either the LINE or LOAD side of the GFCI outlet.
    I hope that helps,
    Dave

  5. Don says:

    How many 110 electrical outlets can be run on a single circuit. I am being told that, in my garage, they can only run three (two wall outlets and one garage door plug in) electrical outlets from one line. To add more outlets I would need to add more lines. They also told me I could only run a refrigerator on a separate line (nothing else plugged into the outlet. Is all of this true? Or, am I being sold a bill of goods?

  6. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Don,
    The number of outlets on each circuit will depend on what the outlets will be used for, and what will be connected to the circuit. Higher load amperage will require more circuits, and in some cases a dedicated circuit. The single outlet for the refrigerator is correct, which allows a refrigerator in the garage connected to a single receptacle not to be GFCI protected. Refrigerators are know to trip GFCI outlets causing a great loss from food spoiling. Additionally, electrical codes for GFCI protection relating to garage outlets and connected appliances and equipment must be considered as per your specific project.
    Be Safe,
    Dave