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mr78rpm t1_iy9fnq4 wrote

Picky detail here: First, all of the parts for this wiring should be rated for 15 amps.

EDIT: I missed the fact that you're describing everything in terms of 12 gauge wire, which is to say, the wire gauge and all other details that are appropriate for 20 amp circuits. My experience has only been with 15 amp GFCIs, so that's what I wrote about. It doesn't matter which amperage rating you wire for, as long as it's done properly. One example of this "properly" is that if the feed Romex were 14 gauge, you would not be allowed to wire up the rest of it using 12 gauge. The way to think about this is: As you go further away from the panel, you either use the same wire gauge or smaller wire gauge (see my note somewhere else here... smaller gauge means larger wire gauge number).

Second, your final drawing shows the correct wiring but... look up a 20 amp outlet. Your drawing intends to show outlets rated 20 amps, where the hot plug holes are vertically oriented and the neutral plug holes are horizontally oriented. But it shows 15 amp sockets, where the hot and the neutral holes are both vertically oriented. This is minor in this discussion, but if someone decides to get this exact hardware and wire it up EXACTLY as shown, there can be difficulties. (Plus, this particular set of wiring parts should be 15 amp rated, not 20 amp.)

Don't be confused when you read "(if less than 14 gauge,...)."

I know how this should be wired but I don't know how to interpret the part in parentheses above. See, a wire that is smaller in diameter, which could be described as "less," has a HIGHER size number; a wire that is larger in diameter has a LOWER size number. For instance, 14 gauge wire is thicker than 16 gauge wire.

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dominus_aranearum t1_iy9kldp wrote

You say that all the parts here should be rated for 15A, but then go on to say the drawing intends to show outlets with 20A sockets. First, not my drawings. Second, why? 15A receptacles are rated for a 20A pass through and OP's drawing doesn't even have a pass through to another potential 20A outlet. By limiting the sockets to 15A, no 20A appliance can be run through a 15A switch, which would be the only potential concern here.

Why do you feel that the wiring should be rated at 15A vs. 20A? There's nothing wrong with wiring using 12 gauge for a 15A or 20A circuit. OP has a 20A circuit, which is wise when both a dishwasher and disposer share a circuit.

Anyone who wants to be confused by (if less than 14 gauge) shouldn't be doing their own wiring. Why would I list the volume requirements for 12 gauge, then go on to say less than 14 gauge isn't counted? People were confused by 1/4lb burgers vs. 1/3lb burgers as well, thinking that 1/4lb was bigger. These aren't the people who should be doing electrical work or ordering my food, even as a DIY.

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