House wiring - how many outlets on 1 15 amp breaker?

[Tim_T-Bonham.net]

@Marvin_the_Martian

Note that this is a rule of thumb. There is no limit based on current electrical code in the US - as long as the breaker is sized for the minimum size wire on the circuit (20A for 12 AWG, 15A for 14AWG). There are special rules when there is only one outlet on a circuit (mainly you need to use a 20A outlet if it is the only outlet on a 20A circuit), but that usually only comes into play in special circumstances.

Yep, no code requirement.
But in most cases, more than 6 or 8 receptacles would involve so much more difficult routing of cable that it’s not worth it.

Note that in the old days, low-voltage wiring like phones was ‘daisy-chained’, going from 1 outlet on to the next. Now, they mostly do ‘home run’ wiring, where each outlet runs directly back to the main panel. (Though it’s mostly CAT 6 Ethernet or coax cable now.)

Electricians are also moving more in that direction, just slower – the cost of copper power wire to do that affects this.

[Tim_T-Bonham.net]

@Musicat

I am not an electrician, but I thought 15 amp circuits were obsolete decades ago. When I converted two of my houses from fuses to breakers in the late 70’s, the electrician said the standard minimum circuit was 20 amps. He put in 15 amp breakers only for some ceiling lights that were already wired with smaller gauge wire, and had no outlets.

That was the trend for a while, what with people wanting more incandescent lighting in their homes, and those giant 27" CRT TVs, etc. – there was a trend for increasing electrical power.

But then we got LED lights, flat screen TVs, LCD monitors, etc. and the demand for electricity started trending down.

A 15A receptacle works fine for most uses.

P.S. Does Multi-quote not work anymore?

[Kedikat]

I am 98% finished my rewiring.
In Alberta Canada you are allowed no more than 12 outlets/lights on a branch circuit. 15 Amp Arc Fault breaker in most branches. Recommended to install 10 per branch to leave room for some future expansion. Require a smoke/CO2 detector that is NOT on an Arc Fault breaker near bedrooms and is recommended to be on a circuit with a light that is usually used.

I am using 20 Amp GFCI outlets in the kitchen. Bathroom has two 15 Amp circuits on combo Arc fault GFCI breakers.

[ZurBob]

@t-bonham@scc.net

Yep, no code requirement.
But in most cases, more than 6 or 8 receptacles would involve so much more difficult routing of cable that it’s not worth it.

Note that in the old days, low-voltage wiring like phones was ‘daisy-chained’, going from 1 outlet on to the next. Now, they mostly do ‘home run’ wiring, where each outlet runs directly back to the main panel. (Though it’s mostly CAT 6 Ethernet or coax cable now.)

Electricians are also moving more in that direction, just slower – the cost of copper power wire to do that affects this.

Would you please elaborate?

[Kedikat]

A 15 Amp breaker can handle maximum 1650 Watts at 110 Volts. But should be less. So you can use that to calculate the number of outlets/lights that is reasonable if there is no code law.

So you could have 16, 100 Watt lights. But not even 2, 1000 Watt hair driers. Modern big flat screens are around 200 to 250 Watts. Another 250 Watts for a big Amp. 500 Watts or more for a PC and it’s gadgets. 1000 Watts so far with three items that may be on at the same time.

[ZurBob]

@t-bonham@scc.net

Yep, no code requirement.
But in most cases, more than 6 or 8 receptacles would involve so much more difficult routing of cable that it’s not worth it.

Note that in the old days, low-voltage wiring like phones was ‘daisy-chained’, going from 1 outlet on to the next. Now, they mostly do ‘home run’ wiring, where each outlet runs directly back to the main panel. (Though it’s mostly CAT 6 Ethernet or coax cable now.)

Electricians are also moving more in that direction, just slower – the cost of copper power wire to do that affects this.

@ZurBob

Would you please elaborate?

Didn’t think so.