20 amp plug question

[Homer]

Do they make an electrical plug that is rated for 20 Amps, but that can be plugged into a 15 amp outlet i.e. have the two blades parallel to each other. I have had a few people at home improvement stores tell me that they exist, but I can never find any. I know they make adapters, but don't want to buy one if I dont have to.

Thanks

 

[DaleHair]

There is a very good reason a 20a plug will not plug into a 15a receptacle, so you will not find one.

 

[Homer]

There is a very good reason a 20a plug will not plug into a 15a receptacle, so you will not find one.

Yeah thats what I figured, but I just thought I would ask, since they make adapters for this and also people at homedepot etc told me they exist.

I want to make kind of a general control box to turn on some GFI outlets mounted on the box that would have maybe a heatstick or an aquarium pump, or a light etc. plugged into them. So I thought it would be nice if I could also plug this into a 15 amp outlet if I wasnt going to use any 20 amp devices.

 

[Palefire]

Why not just swap out the outlet for a 20A one? 15 amp devices can still plug into a 20 amp plug.

 

[Homer]

Why not just swap out the outlet for a 20A one? 15 amp devices can still plug into a 20 amp plug.

I am going to do that in my kitchen, but I was thinking that if brought this box anywhere else that didnt have a 20A outlet there, then I could still use it there.
Either way the main point here is that I was trying to make sure that they do not make a 20A plug with a 15A configuration, because if they do, I would like to get one, if not I will just use a 20A plug.

Thanks for the replies

 

[DaleHair]

A 15a cord cap (plug) will handle 20a, they are the same thing just a different configuration and will plug into 15a or 20a receptacle, just need a 12 ga cord.