How many circuits can be placed on a 20-amp breaker in a residential setting?

In a residential setting, the National Electrical Code (NEC) provides guidelines for how many circuits can safely be placed on a 20-amp breaker based on load calculations. When dealing with general-purpose circuits, a common rule of thumb is to allow for 10 receptacles per 20-amp circuit. This is based on the assumption that, in most cases, a receptacle will not typically draw the full 20 amps simultaneously, which helps to ensure safety and prevent overloading.

This guideline factors in standard usage conditions and acknowledges that household devices vary in power consumption. It also considers the capacity of typical residential wiring, which is designed to handle this load under typical conditions. Thus, specifying that up to 10 receptacles is acceptable aligns with these code guidelines, making it the most commonly accepted answer.

While other choices may suggest different limits, they either exceed typical safe practices or lack clarity based on established codes. For instance, stating an unlimited number of circuits could result in dangerous overloading, while a lower number could restrict practical use without justifiable safety concerns.