I have a 14.85 amp portable air dryer with a 20 amp plug - vertical/horizontal prong. Can i replace this plug to standard 15 amp both vertical prongs, and use safely on a 15 amp circuit? Assuming it will be used continuously for no more than 10 minutes?
I know about the 80% rule over 3 hours. But don't want to throw it out if it's reasonably safe.
Thanks for all the help. Not going to change it. I should have clarified that this is a animal blow dryer (dog). 10 kg. quite expensive.
Of course you can't. The 20A plug was put there for a reason. Believe me, the manufacturer would much rather have put a 15A plug on there to make it more widely usable - they didn't use a 20A plug to annoy you... It's because they can't use a 15A.
The 80% rule also applies to portable appliances. No portable appliance using a NEMA 15A plug can draw more than 1500 watts (which is presumptive that the working voltage is 125V).
As George points out, modern bathroom receptacle circuits are supposed to be 20A. There's an exception in Code that allows you to put any common-as-dirt 15A duplex receptacle on 20A circuits; that's just so you only have to carry 1 receptacle on the truck instead of two (x 4 colors x normal/Decora; 8 is enough!) It also allows builders to use the 50 cent outlets instead of the $5 ones.
If your bathroom circuit is 20A breakered and wired with 12 AWG copper or 10 AWG aluminum wire, then you are at liberty to fit a 20A T-slot receptacle there.
I wouldn't do it. That hair dryer had that plug on it for a reason. Not only that, many 15 amp outlets/circuits use the horrible "back stab" outlets that do a lousy job handling that much current.
If you are using this in a bathroom that's relative modern, it should have a 20 amp circuit. If so and there are 15 amp outlets there now, you could swap in a true 20 amps outlet (GFCI if not protected in the panel) and you could use your hair dryer as is.
But don't change the plug. IMHO
please DO NOT never go smaller for sure. best to use as the manufacturer states. and Im just guessing they would state its broke. get a new one! I personally would never advise tampering with electricity without having a good sense of how it all works. For thats very dangerous my friend.
Wondering why you just dont replace it for they are not expensive. And this is coming from me who is broker than most. :( But Im willing to help in getting you a working one thats safe to use if you would like. Please don't put yourself or others in a unsafe position. I had a dear friend die from getting electrocuted with using tore extension cord!! so let me know if you would like my further help.
