karr
Well-Known Member
So i have just wired up my basement with a new circuit. From the breaker to the basement is 12g (12/2). Then i ran out of wire so i put in a junction box. It then went to 14/2. After some reading i decided i would run 12/2 the whole way, so i took out the 14/2. I will be getting new 12/2 tomorrow. I was wiring my 4(two double) electric outlet and noticed on the back it says 15a max...
So if 14ga at 120v is rated to 15amps but is generally avoided as it is too low amps then why is my outlet rated at 15 amp?
I do know that a full 15a is a lot(but obviously you don't want to ride near the max), as at 120v 15 amps is 1800 watts.
My question now is should i upgrade the outlet itself before finalizing everything? what are outlets mostly rated too and where do you look for higher load outlets? I am switching the wiring out regardless but the outlet is my question now.
also what amp breaker should i use? my system runs TOPS 700 watts. 700/120 = under 6 amps. i was thinking 10 would cut it close, but be safe. 15 would be good once the 12ga wire is in, but are then the sockets a concern and is it too high for the 6a draw in case of malfunction?
Last thing could someone double check my double outlet wiring. I have wired, with 12ga wires, two silver screws (silver screws white wires) and then two hot wires (black wire bronze screw). Also tied the grounds together with an additional ground wire though the whole unit should be grounded itself.
Here is a pic.
Note that the plugs are reversed (one right side up one upside down) so that the hot and common are not so close together.
Thanks for the help
So if 14ga at 120v is rated to 15amps but is generally avoided as it is too low amps then why is my outlet rated at 15 amp?
I do know that a full 15a is a lot(but obviously you don't want to ride near the max), as at 120v 15 amps is 1800 watts.
My question now is should i upgrade the outlet itself before finalizing everything? what are outlets mostly rated too and where do you look for higher load outlets? I am switching the wiring out regardless but the outlet is my question now.
also what amp breaker should i use? my system runs TOPS 700 watts. 700/120 = under 6 amps. i was thinking 10 would cut it close, but be safe. 15 would be good once the 12ga wire is in, but are then the sockets a concern and is it too high for the 6a draw in case of malfunction?
Last thing could someone double check my double outlet wiring. I have wired, with 12ga wires, two silver screws (silver screws white wires) and then two hot wires (black wire bronze screw). Also tied the grounds together with an additional ground wire though the whole unit should be grounded itself.
Here is a pic.
Note that the plugs are reversed (one right side up one upside down) so that the hot and common are not so close together.
Thanks for the help

