20 Amp Breaker at 120V
2. Standard Outlets and Lighting
Most likely, if you're dealing with a 20 amp breaker in a standard residential setting, it's protecting a 120V circuit. These circuits are typically used for general-purpose outlets in your home. You might find them in your kitchen (though often these are GFCI protected, which we'll touch on later), living room, bedrooms, and other areas where you plug in lamps, TVs, computers, and other everyday electronics.
The purpose of the 20 amp rating is to handle a greater load than a typical 15 amp circuit. This allows you to plug in multiple devices without tripping the breaker. However, it's still important to be mindful of the total power being drawn. Overloading a circuit, even a 20 amp one, can still lead to problems and potentially a fire hazard. Its a bit like having a car with a bigger engine it can handle more, but you still need to drive responsibly!
A 20 amp, 120V circuit can handle up to 2400 watts (20 amps x 120 volts = 2400 watts). So, before you plug in that extra space heater or hairdryer, take a peek at the wattage rating on the appliance to ensure you're not exceeding the limit. Little things like this can prevent a frustrating trip to the breaker box.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) are often used on 20 amp, 120V circuits in areas prone to moisture, such as kitchens and bathrooms. These special outlets are designed to quickly cut off power if they detect a ground fault, which can prevent electric shock. If you see an outlet with "Test" and "Reset" buttons, that's a GFCI!
