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I believe that the wires supplying a 30 amp circuit must be at least 10 gauge. If you have 14 or 12 gauge wires going to or from your 15 amp breaker, then drawing 30 amps over it could cause a fire hazard. It's like using those cheapo non-UL certified extension cords to plug a MILLION X-mas lights into (drawing more power than the wires can handle). You also have to make sure this GFI outlet you refered to is rated for 30 amps.

Do not simply swap out breakers. Overloading the wires in the circuit protected by that breaker will cause a fire.

If you need a 30 amp circuit you must run #10 gauge wire.

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13y ago
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17y ago

Sure, if you want to keep resetting it. To be safe change to a 20 amp and make sure the wire is no smaller than 20 gauge....pkazsr To recharacterize your question, you asked, "Should an electrical appliance be interupted by a circuit breaker designed to trip at the same request for power?" The answer is no because power availability should exceed demand. Amperage is based upon demand. That is, if you have a 15 Amp demand, you need a breaker in excess of that demand. If my electric shaver requires 15 Amps to run, which is the equivalent of a buzzsaw, I don't want the circuit breaker to trip at that demand. A 20 Amp circuit breaker would be fine. It is a compromise. If the breaker is at 30 Amps it will power my 15A appliance without interuption. However, if I drop my 15A electric facial buzzsaw into water, the breaker will hopefully trip before I no longer need to concern myself about ever shaving again. That is, the breaker should furnish adequate power for normal use yet shut down when there is excessive demand, such as a shortage. Like when my wife tests our breaker panel by throwing a toaster into my bath, ostensibly to warm the water. The water was warmed I assure you.

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10y ago

The answer is, yes and no.

Yes you can physically pull a 15 amp circuit breaker and install a 20 amp circuit breaker into the same slot on nearly all modern electrical distribution panels.

No, if the wiring is only 14 gauge then the potential exists to use more amps on the circuit than the wiring was designed for and you could be creating a hazard including fire from hot and shorted lines. A 20 amp circuit require no less than 12 gauge wire.

If you are having a problem with a 15 amp circuit breaker that cannot be resolved by replacing the breaker with another 15 amp circuit breaker, it's time to research why the breaker is tripping to start with. If it's tripping because there more than a 15 amp load, it's time to shed some of the existing load on that circuit.

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12y ago

It is easy to change the 30 amp double pole breaker to a 15 amp double pole breaker. You want to make sure the wires fit.

The #10 wires will most likely not fit the device on the other end, unless it is a light fixture and you are using wire nuts. If you are installing a receptacle or switch, or if the load has screw terminals, you will have to splice #14 gauge wire into the #10s so the #14s can to terminated. I have terminated receptacles and switches with #10 wire but it takes a little effort and experience to make sure it is done properly.

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12y ago

You could. However, it will trip at 15 amps, so be sure your load is less than that. Continuous draw should be no more than 12 amps.

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12y ago

Yes, but only if the circuit is wired with 10 AWG wire.

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8y ago

Yes, a breaker is a better product, it does the job better although of course it costs more.

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8y ago

Yes a 15 amp breaker will protect the circuit the same as a fuse. What will have to change is the enclosure that holds the fuse to one that will hold the new breaker.

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Lvl 1
3y ago

No

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Q: Can I replace a 15 amps fuse with a 15 amps breaker?
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How many volts can you draw off of a 15amp breaker?

It's the amps that are controlled by the breaker not the volts. You can have a 600 volt 15 amp breaker, you can have a 347 volt 15 amp breaker. The breaker will trip when you exceed 15 AMPS.


How do you change from 15 amp fuse to 20 amp fuse?

The only way you can change a 15 amp to a 20 is you have to replace the 14 gauge wire going to it with a 12 gauge wire, then replace the 15 amp breaker with a 20 amp breaker. You can put a 15 amp outlet on a 20 amp circuit as long as there is more then one receptacle. A double receptacle counts as two receptacles. Steve Green Coeur d'Alene, Idaho


What size wire and breaker do you need for a 5000 watt garage heater?

Look on the heater and see what amps it is pulling. That will determine the wire size and breaker size. It must be on a dedicated circuit. 15 amps = AWG # 14 wire with 15 amp breaker 20 amps = AWG # 12 wire with 20 amp breaker 30 amps = AWG # 10 wire with 30 amp breaker 40 amps = AWG # 8 wire with 40 amp breaker


I have a 15 amp tool hooked up to a 15 amp breaker- This trips the breaker even with nothing else running- There is also a GFCI outlet on the same circuit- Is the breaker or GFCI bad?

A 15 amp breaker will trip at 15 amps at an ambient temperature of 104 degree F. If the ambient temperature is higher the breaker will trip before 15 amps and if the ambient temperature is lower the breaker will trip after 15 amps. I would suspect the circuit is overloaded. But, you can change the breaker and see what happens. Just swap it with another one.


14 gauge wire can be on what size circuit breaker?

15 amps

Related questions

What is the ampacity of the 14 conductors in the conduit application?

14 AWG copper conductors are limited in the NEC to 15 amps. You must protect them with an overcurrent device such as a breaker or fuse not exceeding 15 amps.


How many volts can you draw off of a 15amp breaker?

It's the amps that are controlled by the breaker not the volts. You can have a 600 volt 15 amp breaker, you can have a 347 volt 15 amp breaker. The breaker will trip when you exceed 15 AMPS.


What is the meaning of the number 15 on a fuse or circuit breaker?

This is the amount of current that the wire in the fuse will "fuse" or open. and the Breaker will trip. Having said that, the time it takes to blow will depend on how close to the max the current is. If you put 13 amps on a 15 amp fuse, it will get hot enough to blow eventually. No fuse or breaker should have more than 80% load.


What breaker to use in a bedroom that holds up to 15 amps with 120v?

15 amp breaker.


What size Mini circuit breaker is the same as a 13 amp fuse?

13 amp breaker. A fuse and circuit breaker perform the exact same function so they should be the exact same size. They protect the wiring within a circuit from overheating and catching on fire. A 13 amp breaker is a superior product that has a good chance of operating between 13 and 13½ amps, while a fuse might not blow until the current reaches 15 amps.


How do you change from 15 amp fuse to 20 amp fuse?

The only way you can change a 15 amp to a 20 is you have to replace the 14 gauge wire going to it with a 12 gauge wire, then replace the 15 amp breaker with a 20 amp breaker. You can put a 15 amp outlet on a 20 amp circuit as long as there is more then one receptacle. A double receptacle counts as two receptacles. Steve Green Coeur d'Alene, Idaho


What size wire and breaker do you need for a 5000 watt garage heater?

Look on the heater and see what amps it is pulling. That will determine the wire size and breaker size. It must be on a dedicated circuit. 15 amps = AWG # 14 wire with 15 amp breaker 20 amps = AWG # 12 wire with 20 amp breaker 30 amps = AWG # 10 wire with 30 amp breaker 40 amps = AWG # 8 wire with 40 amp breaker


Your home has a fuse box at 15 amp is blowing can it be replaced with a 20 amp?

The only safe way to change your (fuse/breaker) would be to check your wire size and your load size. Fourteen guage wire is rated for a maximum capacity of 15 amps, if your wire size if 12 guage copper then the answer to your question is yes you can change your (fuse/breaker) to a 20amp. You should also call a qualified electrician to install your (fuse/breaker)


Can you replace a 15 amp fuse with a 30 amp fuse?

Not a good idea. The 15 amp fuse will be protection a #14 wire which is rated for 15 amps maximum capacity. By changing the 15 amp fuse to a 30 amp fuse you would then be allowing 30 amps maximum capacity on a #14 wire. By doubling the load the extra heat generated on the smaller wire could be enough to melt the insulation from the wire and that could cause the wire to short out. If the wire shorts out inside the wall it means the removal of the wall board to replace the wire to restore the circuit to an operational condition. The proper wire sizing for a 30 amp fuse is, #10 copper wire with an insulation rating of 90 degrees C.


I have a 15 amp tool hooked up to a 15 amp breaker- This trips the breaker even with nothing else running- There is also a GFCI outlet on the same circuit- Is the breaker or GFCI bad?

A 15 amp breaker will trip at 15 amps at an ambient temperature of 104 degree F. If the ambient temperature is higher the breaker will trip before 15 amps and if the ambient temperature is lower the breaker will trip after 15 amps. I would suspect the circuit is overloaded. But, you can change the breaker and see what happens. Just swap it with another one.


How do you size circuit breakers?

If you are using 14AWG wire in your circuit, you will fuse with a 15 amp breaker as 14AWG maximum amperage is 15 amps to 100 ft of wire. If the wire run is longer than 100ft, then you would fuse for 10 amps max. If you are using 12AWG then it can carry 20 amps, etc. Longer than 100ft you would fuse for 15amps. note: 14AWG is called 14/2 and 12Awg is called 12/2 commonly.


14 awg copper wire for what size fuse?

You can use up to a 30 amp fuse or breaker with 10 Ga wire.