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Re: Why 15 amp for 20 amp circuit?
There are many applications where you may have a 20A circuit but the actual receptacles installed on that circuit are 15A (common in many kitchen and bath circuits). You may similarly install a 15A GFCI on one of these circuits. Because a GFCI has the ability to provide downstream protection it must be able to handle the full current rating of the circuit that it is used on. If you put a 15A GFCI in a 20A circuit it must be capable of providing protection for the entire 20A circuit. It is for this reason that ALL15A GFCI receptacles are required to have a 20A feed-through rating (that is, if they have feed-through capability; which they all do have).
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Re: Why 15 amp for 20 amp circuit?
Hi, I have a follow up question to this answer. Once I have installed a 15 amp GFCI on a 20 amp circuit, and used the pass-through on the back of the GFCI to connect other outlets, is the remainder of the circuit then lowered to 15 amp capacity? Why have a pass through that accommodates 12 gauge wire if the downstream outlets will be all be reduced to 15 amp?
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Re: Why 15 amp for 20 amp circuit?
Pete,
20A devices can still be used downstream of a 15A device that has 20A feed-through, like one of our 15A GFCI's.
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