Maximum number of 120-volt, general-purpose receptacles the NEC permits to be placed on a 20-amp, 120-volt, single-pole breaker in a commercial building.

Prepare for the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Year 4 Exam. Access flashcards, multiple choice questions, and detailed explanations. Enhance your readiness and achieve your certification!

Multiple Choice

Maximum number of 120-volt, general-purpose receptacles the NEC permits to be placed on a 20-amp, 120-volt, single-pole breaker in a commercial building.

Explanation:
On a 20-amp, 120-volt circuit, the available power is 2,400 VA (120 V × 20 A). For general-purpose receptacles, NEC load calculations use a fixed load of 180 VA per receptacle. Divide 2,400 VA by 180 VA per receptacle to get 13.3, so you can have up to 13 receptacles on that circuit without exceeding the breaker rating. Choices that exceed the 2,400 VA limit (18 or 15) don’t fit, and using only 10 would underutilize the circuit.

On a 20-amp, 120-volt circuit, the available power is 2,400 VA (120 V × 20 A). For general-purpose receptacles, NEC load calculations use a fixed load of 180 VA per receptacle. Divide 2,400 VA by 180 VA per receptacle to get 13.3, so you can have up to 13 receptacles on that circuit without exceeding the breaker rating. Choices that exceed the 2,400 VA limit (18 or 15) don’t fit, and using only 10 would underutilize the circuit.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy