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What is the maximum load, in amperes, that any one 15-ampere receptacle outlet can carry on a branch circuit rated for 20 amperes?

  1. 10 amperes

  2. 12 amperes

  3. 15 amperes

  4. 20 amperes

The correct answer is: 12 amperes

The maximum load that a 15-ampere receptacle outlet can carry when connected to a branch circuit rated for 20 amperes is 15 amperes. This is because the receptacle itself is rated for a maximum of 15 amperes, which dictates the amount of load it can safely handle. While the branch circuit may be able to supply up to 20 amperes, the rating of the receptacle limits the actual load capacity to 15 amperes. The other choices do not reflect the proper capacity of the 15-ampere receptacle. A choice indicating a load of 20 amperes would exceed the receptacle's rating, and choices suggesting 10 or 12 amperes do not utilize the full capacity that the receptacle is designed for. Therefore, 15 amperes is the maximum permissible load for a 15-ampere receptacle on a 20-ampere branch circuit.