What is the minimum rating for the branch circuit disconnecting means when supplying only a single branch circuit with a limited load?

What is the minimum rating for the branch circuit disconnecting means when supplying only a single branch circuit with a limited load?

• A. 5 amperes
• B. 10 amperes
• C. 15 amperes
• D. 20 amperes

Answer: (C)

The key idea is matching the disconnecting means to the maximum current the circuit could safely carry. For a single branch circuit with a limited load, the current is low enough that a 15-amp disconnect is sufficient and is the smallest standard rating that reliably covers the circuit’s protection and fault-interrupting needs. A higher rating, like 20 amps, would be acceptable but isn’t the minimum. Ratings like 5 amps or 10 amps aren’t standard for branch-circuit disconnects serving even limited loads, so 15 amps is the minimum that fits typical practice for this scenario.

The key idea is matching the disconnecting means to the maximum current the circuit could safely carry. For a single branch circuit with a limited load, the current is low enough that a 15-amp disconnect is sufficient and is the smallest standard rating that reliably covers the circuit’s protection and fault-interrupting needs. A higher rating, like 20 amps, would be acceptable but isn’t the minimum. Ratings like 5 amps or 10 amps aren’t standard for branch-circuit disconnects serving even limited loads, so 15 amps is the minimum that fits typical practice for this scenario.