Barndo Apartment wiring

[mattlikesbikes]

All apartment outlet circuits are 20 amp, 12/2 and limited to 8-10 outlets. Out in the country, no permits or inspections. But still want to do it the safest way possible.

Installed boxes and pulled wire this past weekend, only for the apartment part of our shop/barndo.

I'm seeing lots of differing information on what outlets I should use. While everything will be on a 20amp circuit, for the apartment outlets I've seen reference to running those with 15amp outlets since a TV, mixer, and vacuum are the extent of the electricity I will probably pull. Thoughts on that?

Second, I was planning pigtails, but read a Q&A with the VP of Leviton saying that a UL approved outlet is fine to be wired with flow through and not with pigtails. If we skip pigtails, I would be inclined to run 20amp outlets so I could use the 12ga push in holes and make it all super quick.

For the shop, I will for sure use 20amp outlets. But still, pigtails or not? And suggestions for wiring double outlet boxes (Assume pigtails are the way to go there).

 

[Bert_]

I wouldn't use a single 20A outlet. Do you have a tool or appliance with a 20A plug? Pretty sure the answer is no.

The internals are often the exact same only difference is the slot in the face. Both are rated for 20A feed through.

I prefer to use pigtails with all receptacles.

 

[Kevin Essiambre]

I can't comment much on this because we are on totally different codes...

I would not spend the extra on using 20 amp receptacles. Code where I am requires 20 amp receptacles for kitchen receptacles (or split-plugs, but they can't easily be GFCI protected) and I have NEVER encountered an appliance yet that has a 20 amp cord cap on it.

There are some things out there that do, but, they are usually specially items... and If it does need 20 amps, you probably need a dedicated circuit anyway...

Anyway, this is all I'm going to add because of the different codes.

Sent from my new phone. Autocorrect may have changed stuff.

 

[u2slow]

Always pigtails for me. I very rarely load up circuits beyond 6 outlets. Lighting I try to separate, and load up more.

Also match components on circuits as in:
- 20A breaker, #12, 20A receptacle (Code for my area)
- 15A breaker, #14, 15A receptacles

...the exception being you can beef up the 15A to #12 to combat voltage-drop (long runs) or for de-rating due to multiple circuits in a conduit.

 

[Terry D]

Always pigtails.

Sent from my SM-G960U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[mattlikesbikes]

So 15amp outlets and pigtails.

I got my count based on 1.5amp per on a 20amp circuit at 80%

 

[sberry]

You don't need to use 80% for this. 80% applies to some things, not everything.

 

[sberry]

Main thing is not how many but what. If a guy wants to use electric heaters for backup, or air cond then there are some considerations like limiting a circuit to a room if there is the potential to want to run the same in another room. Other than that the general rule is 13 for 20.
I was remoding a place of mine I did back in the day, it was local and noticed I had an outlet with nothing on it and 1 one hundred watt I used to use and another with 40 watts of occasional on it. At the time wasn't sure where any heater might go, ended up running it to another location anyway. Got 2 circuits to run potential 140 watts,,,, neither at the same time.

 

[Bert_]

I got my count based on 1.5amp per on a 20amp circuit at 80%

Not sure what you're getting at here?

 

[sberry]

Just a side note,,, I ran across Cooper recepts the other day, spec ordered older ones, rated for 12 backstabs. First time I saw them outside mobile homes, they are older.