3A Convenience Receptacle

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Thread Starter

Russ Miller

I've been designing panels for years, always including a convenience receptacle (with a 3 amp breaker) for plugging in a laptop charger.
Recently I've noticed the label on my laptop charger stated a draw of 3.9 Amps! While I'm sure it isn't always drawing that, I question if I shoud choose a larger breaker. Trouble is, all the companies that provide convenience receptacles w/ breaker only provide a 3 amp breaker.
My question - Is 3 amp dictated by some code, or is it just the trend/habit in the industry.

Thanks!
 
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I don't see how it could be a code limitation. How does the code know it's not for a soldering iron ore something and just occasionally gets used for a laptop? As long as it's fused at or below the NEMA rating for that receptacle patten (15A), the wire size, and the mfgrs rating for the plug, I can't see how they could say anything.
 
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Bob Peterson

I suspect the rating of the CB could be based on several things.

Could be that UL is driving it there for some reason.

Could be that most PC power supplies draw less than 3 amps.

not all such outlets even have CBs built in. maybe get one w/o the built in CB and feed it with your own CB of whatever value you want.

--
Bob
http://ilbob.blogspot.com/
 
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