Hardware Reference

Residential Receptacle & Switch Technical Catalog

Engineering specifications for common 120V residential devices. Cross-referenced with National Electrical Code (NEC) articles, minimum conductor sizes, and manufacturer torque thresholds.

Ground Fault ProtectionNEMA 5-20R

20A Self-Testing Tamper-Resistant GFCI Receptacle

Rating: 125V / 20A (15A pass-through fed)

Conductor: 12 AWG Solid Copper (14 AWG for 15A feed)

Torque Spec: 14 - 16 in-lbs

NEC Code: NEC 210.8 (Kitchen, Bathrooms, Basements, Outdoors, Garage)

Internal sensor disconnects power in 25 milliseconds upon detecting 4-6 mA current leakage.

Terminal Allocation:

• Brass screws (Rear LINE marked)

• Silver screws (Rear LINE marked)

• Brass screws under yellow sticker (LOAD)

• Silver screws under yellow sticker (LOAD)

• Green hex screw (bottom yoke)

Standard Branch CircuitNEMA 5-15R

15A Tamper-Resistant Residential Duplex Outlet

Rating: 125V / 15A

Conductor: 14 AWG Solid Copper (or 12 AWG)

Torque Spec: 12 - 14 in-lbs

NEC Code: NEC 406.12 (Mandatory TR shutters in dwelling units)

Spring-loaded internal shutters prevent insertion of keys, hairpins, and foreign objects.

Terminal Allocation:

• Brass screws (right side looking at face)

• Silver screws (left side looking at face)

• Green hex grounding screw

Lighting ControlSingle Pole Double Throw (SPDT)

15A 3-Way Toggle / Decora Switch

Rating: 120V / 15A

Conductor: 14 AWG Solid Copper

Torque Spec: 12 - 14 in-lbs

NEC Code: NEC 404.2 (Switch connections and neutral conductor loop)

Controls one lighting circuit from two distinct physical locations (staircases, hallways).

Terminal Allocation:

• Dark black or bronze screw (connects to breaker hot or light hot)

• Pair of brass screws (connects to traveler conductors between switches)

• Green hex screw

Lighting ControlSingle Pole Single Throw (SPST)

15A Heavy-Duty Single Pole Wall Switch

Rating: 120V / 15A

Conductor: 14 AWG Solid Copper

Torque Spec: 12 - 14 in-lbs

NEC Code: NEC 404 (Switches)

Standard on/off mechanism interrupting the ungrounded (hot) line conductor.

Terminal Allocation:

• Two brass screws (breaks hot conductor)

• Green grounding terminal

Arc Fault & Ground FaultNEMA 5-15R

15A Dual-Function AFCI / GFCI Receptacle

Rating: 125V / 15A

Conductor: 14 AWG Solid Copper

Torque Spec: 14 - 16 in-lbs

NEC Code: NEC 210.12 (Arc-Fault) & 210.8 (Ground-Fault)

Detects both parallel/series arcing (fire hazard) and ground current leakage (shock hazard).

Terminal Allocation:

• Brass screws

• Silver screws

• Green hex screw

Multi-Point LightingDouble Pole Double Throw (DPDT)

15A 4-Way Commercial Grade Wall Switch

Rating: 120V / 15A

Conductor: 14 AWG Solid Copper

Torque Spec: 12 - 14 in-lbs

NEC Code: NEC 404.2 (Multi-way switching)

Placed between two 3-way switches to control a lighting load from 3 or more locations.

Terminal Allocation:

• Two brass screws (INPUT travelers)

• Two black/copper screws (OUTPUT travelers)

• Green hex screw