Swapping out 15 amp outlet with a 20 Amp outlet?

My garage has 15 amp outlets on a 20 amp line. I was wondering is there concern swapping out one of the 15 amp outlet with 20 amp outlet. Just purshased an air compressor with a 20 amp plug. My electrician confirmed 20 amp to the garage outlets, however when I asked for an estimate to add one 20 amp outlet it was too expensive in my mind. Thanks for any help and advice

Answers:
No, if your wiring is 20 amp there is not a problem.

Are you sure your outlet is just 15 amp. That is very unusual. Almost all say 15/20 amp. I think you should - turn off the power, remove the center screw from the outlet, remove the top & bottom screws, pull the outlet forward & read the rating. I bet it will be 15/20 amp. The rating may be on the back.

Good luck,

Norm

Other answers:
In the scenario you have described it would be okay. Very few things run on a 20AMP plug, so to save money, 15AMP outlets are used. You will be fine to change one outlet out where you want to set up the air compressor. If you plan on using the air compressor a lot then you should put it on its own circuit.
In the scenario you have described it would be okay. Very few things run on a 20AMP plug, so to save money, 15AMP outlets are used. You will be fine to change one outlet out where you want to set up the air compressor. If you plan on using the air compressor a lot then you should put it on its own circuit.
Check the rating on the compressor, it should well below 15 amps. Change the plug.
You can verify 2 things to know if the circuit is rated for 20A. 12ga wire and a 20A breaker. Swapping out the outlet would then not be a problem unless.

... the run from the house to the garage was excessively long, you could get too much voltage drop. This would then be a problem for your compressor.. Higher capacity compressors (>1HP) will draw a significant portion of the 20A capacity . They can overheat because of too little voltage reaching the motor.
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