"Lightweight" Wall Switch?


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Old 11-28-16, 05:36 AM
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"Lightweight" Wall Switch?

I am remodeling my older home with 20A wiring. I bought new 20A wall light switches, but they feel VERY stiff and industrial. Do they make a 20A light switch that has the light feel of a 15A?
 
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Old 11-28-16, 05:55 AM
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OK, let's start with a clarification - what's "20A wiring?" Do you mean you have 12 ga wire on a 20 amp circuit breaker?
 
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Old 11-28-16, 06:05 AM
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Yes, what I meant to say is the circuits I am speaking of have 12 ga wire on a 20 amp circuit breaker.
 
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Old 11-28-16, 06:23 AM
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No need to use a 20a circuit for lighting but even if you do you do no need to use a 20a switch. (Canada may vary.) You can use a 15a switch.
 
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Old 11-28-16, 06:45 AM
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"No need to use a 20a circuit for lighting but even if you do you do no need to use a 20a switch.
(Canada may vary.) You can use a 15a switch."

I am not in Canada. You mean it will pass codes to have a 15A wall switch in a circuit protected by a 20A circuit breaker? Sounds a little scary. Can you explain?
 
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Old 11-28-16, 07:39 AM
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The switch only needs to be rated higher than the load it is switching. It would take a lot of lights to come close to a 15 amp load.
 
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Old 11-28-16, 08:31 AM
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As the others said, a 20A switch is probably not required. But to directly answer your question, no. The 15A and 20A spec-grade switches are quite a bit heavier-duty than the light switches usually installed in residential.
 
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Old 11-28-16, 11:02 AM
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Wow. I really missed the boat on this one. I always thought that the wiring, switches, and outlets all needed to be rated for the potential load that could be put on them. That potential load limited by the circuit breaker.

I learned a big one here. Thanks to you all.
 
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Old 11-28-16, 11:33 AM
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Switches are an exception.
 
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Old 10-30-17, 06:06 AM
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Ray- I have already installed some 20A switches that are simply too industrial feeling for a home. I do believe you, but would like to read more on this subject. I would like to install standard 15A switches in their place.
 
 

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