The NEC states that each opening be rated at 180 va or (volt /amps ) this means that that each va is actually a watt but not really because of technical terms of power factor etc. But basically at 110 volts with a power factor of .83 you could have about one amp per va per opening.
I do not want the get all technical here but a 15 amp circuit has a maximum rating of 12 amps per breaker at a the proper rating of 80%.
So basically you could put up to 12 devices per opening on a 15 amp circuit, depending on what you want on here and this includes light openings as well.
If I were you I would use 12/2 and put a 20 amp breaker on this and then you will have a few extra amps and you can use more power wise.
But as far as 3 receptacles and two lights on either circuit you are fine.
Remember if you have things that are motorized and use a lot of wattage you want less on a circuit and some things like Microwaves, window air units, motors, 1/3 hp or greater you want dedicated circuits for these and not share with other things.
Up to 12 openings an general lighting circuits including lights is normal but I never install over 8 recpts. on any one circuit.How many connection are allowed per 15 and 20 amp circuit breakers?
Thanks a lot
sergio
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in answer to your question you can add as many as you want.the real question is what is the intended use of said outlets.a typical incadescent bulb draws two amps.a motor ie refrigerater power saw will drawl as much as 7 amps to start up and then operate on 5 amps the trick is to have a plan for use and then add the amp ratings found on the appliance packaging
You do need to know the amps of what will be used, but for residential use the kitchen is really where you need to pay attention. In other rooms you can have say 8-12 receptacles on a circuit which would be two bedrooms. Or you could make each bedroom a circuit with receptacles and lighting together. Is this new contruction or re-model?
Keep lighting separate from outlets. Lighting will almost never pop a breaker, but nothing is more frustrating than finding your way to the breaker box in the dark. If you can, try to dedicate one breaker to supply half of two rooms outlets, and another breaker to the other half of the two rooms outlets. Try to make it so your major appliances do not share any single breaker, ie washer, dryer, stove, fridge, microwave. Dedicated breaker for your furnace, AC. And with today's electronics its not a bad idea to have a dedicated breaker for your home entertainment, to prevent surge draw from other appliances.
It also depends on what you're plugging in. My tablesaw is near the amperage limit and if I plug in something else while it's running, the 15A breaker will often trip. On the other hand, I have several fluorescent shop lights plugged into another 15A breaker than run just fine.
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