What is the maximum rating of a cord-and-plug connected appliance on a 20A branch circuit?

The correct answer reflects the maximum rating of a cord-and-plug connected appliance that can safely function on a 20A branch circuit. The National Electrical Code (NEC) usually allows a continuous load on a circuit to be rated at no more than 80% of the circuit's capacity for safety reasons. Since a 20A circuit can handle a maximum load of 20A, the safe allowable load would be calculated as follows:

20A x 0.80 = 16A

This means that any appliance connected to a 20A circuit should not exceed 16A in order to prevent overheating, ensure safety, and avoid tripping circuit breakers. Therefore, the maximum rating for a cord-and-plug connected appliance on a 20A branch circuit is correctly stated as 16A. This ensures that the circuit remains within safe operating levels under typical usage conditions.