The National Electric Code (NEC) does not directly state the number of outlets per general purpose circuit for a residence. They only state that "x" amount of sq. ft. must have "y" amount of circuits and that they be evenly distributed. The number of outlets is then limited by physical outlet spacing rules.
However, a rule of thumb is the points system. A 20 amp circuit is 20 points. A regular duplex receptacle is 2 points and a light is 1 point. You can have any combination of receptacles and lights that add up to 20 points. For example, 10 duplex receptacles x 2 points = 20 points. Or, (8 duplex receptacles x 2 points = 16) + (4 lights x 1 point) = 20 total.
The concept is the same for a 15 amp circuit except the total points will then be 15.
So, the answer is about 10 receptacle outlets per 20 amp circuit. In a pinch, you can stretch that to 12 or so and still be OK.
Answers & Comments
The National Electric Code (NEC) does not directly state the number of outlets per general purpose circuit for a residence. They only state that "x" amount of sq. ft. must have "y" amount of circuits and that they be evenly distributed. The number of outlets is then limited by physical outlet spacing rules.
However, a rule of thumb is the points system. A 20 amp circuit is 20 points. A regular duplex receptacle is 2 points and a light is 1 point. You can have any combination of receptacles and lights that add up to 20 points. For example, 10 duplex receptacles x 2 points = 20 points. Or, (8 duplex receptacles x 2 points = 16) + (4 lights x 1 point) = 20 total.
The concept is the same for a 15 amp circuit except the total points will then be 15.
So, the answer is about 10 receptacle outlets per 20 amp circuit. In a pinch, you can stretch that to 12 or so and still be OK.