A single receptacle installed on an individual branch circuit shall have an amp rating not less than ___ percent of the rating of the branch circuit.

A single receptacle installed on an individual branch circuit shall have an amp rating not less than ___ percent of the rating of the branch circuit.

• A. 50
• B. 125
• C. 100
• D. 75

Answer: (C)

Matching receptacle rating to the branch circuit. When a single receptacle is fed by its own branch circuit, the receptacle must be rated at least as high as the circuit’s amperage. This ensures it can safely carry the maximum load permitted by that circuit without overheating or tripping protections. So the receptacle rating should be equal to the circuit rating—that’s 100 percent. For example, a 15 A circuit uses a 15 A receptacle, and a 20 A circuit uses a 20 A receptacle. The other percentages would undersize or misalign the receptacle with the circuit.

Matching receptacle rating to the branch circuit. When a single receptacle is fed by its own branch circuit, the receptacle must be rated at least as high as the circuit’s amperage. This ensures it can safely carry the maximum load permitted by that circuit without overheating or tripping protections. So the receptacle rating should be equal to the circuit rating—that’s 100 percent. For example, a 15 A circuit uses a 15 A receptacle, and a 20 A circuit uses a 20 A receptacle. The other percentages would undersize or misalign the receptacle with the circuit.