On a 20-ampere branch circuit with more than two receptacles, what is the maximum cord- and plug-connected load permitted on a 20-ampere duplex receptacle?

• A. 20 A
• B. 12 A
• C. 18 A
• D. 16 A

Answer: (D)

On a 20-amp branch circuit that serves more than two receptacles, the cord-and-plug-connected load on any single receptacle is limited to 80% of the circuit rating. This creates headroom for other outlets on the same circuit and accounts for continuous-use scenarios. So 20 A × 0.8 = 16 A, which is the maximum current allowed for one duplex receptacle (about 1,920 watts at 120 V). The other options either exceed this 80% limit or fall short, making 16 A the correct limit.