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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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Can a 20 amp breaker be replaced with a 15 amp breaker?
Yes. but the load rating of the circuit will be reduced to that of 15 amps.
What size circuit breaker is needed for a 300 watt bulb?
A 15 amp circuit breaker will handle this situation very well. The smallest home breaker is rated at 15 amp.
Can a sub panel from a 15 amp breaker be used with a branch circuit with 20 amp breaker?
Yes but it will limit your 20 amp circuit to 15 amps. Any amperage over 15 amps on the 20 amps circuit will trip the breaker protecting the sub panel.
Can a 15 amp breaker be replace with a 20 amp?
Not a good idea. The only safe way it can be done is if by chance the wire from the 15 amp breaker is a #12 wire which is rated for 20 amps. The #14 wire which is most likely connected to the 15 amp breaker is only rated at 15 amps. By connecting a 20 amp possible load to a 15 amp rated circuit there is the possibility of heat being generated by the wire resulting in insulation failure and then circuit failure.
Does square D make a circuit breaker with a 15 amp and 20 amp breaker in the same breaker?
No tandem breakers are of the same value.
How do you turn a 30 amp circuit into a 15 amp cicuit?
Replace the 30 Amp Breaker with a 15 Amp breaker.
Can you upgrade a 15 Amps circuit breaker for a 40 Amp for a 8.5 Watt shower?
Not unless you change the wiring for that circuit. The breaker protects the wiring and if you install a 40 amp breaker on a 15 amp wire circuit you will have a fire in your home.
Can a 20 amp breaker be replaced with a 15 amp breaker?
Yes. but the load rating of the circuit will be reduced to that of 15 amps.
What size circuit breaker is needed for a 300 watt bulb?
A 15 amp circuit breaker will handle this situation very well. The smallest home breaker is rated at 15 amp.
Can a sub panel from a 15 amp breaker be used with a branch circuit with 20 amp breaker?
Yes but it will limit your 20 amp circuit to 15 amps. Any amperage over 15 amps on the 20 amps circuit will trip the breaker protecting the sub panel.
What size circuit breaker should be used for dishwasher and disposal?
A 15 amp dedicated circuit breaker should be used for the dishwasher. The disposal can be wired to the general kitchen 15 amp circuit.
Can a 15 amp breaker be replace with a 20 amp?
Not a good idea. The only safe way it can be done is if by chance the wire from the 15 amp breaker is a #12 wire which is rated for 20 amps. The #14 wire which is most likely connected to the 15 amp breaker is only rated at 15 amps. By connecting a 20 amp possible load to a 15 amp rated circuit there is the possibility of heat being generated by the wire resulting in insulation failure and then circuit failure.
Does square D make a circuit breaker with a 15 amp and 20 amp breaker in the same breaker?
No tandem breakers are of the same value.
What size amp circuit breaker should be used for a pool light?
The pool light is usually on a 15 amp circuit. The breaker feeding this circuit must have a GFCI rating.
Can you use 20 amp appliance on 15 amp circuit?
No the breaker will trip beause the circuits maximum current allowed by the breaker is 15 amps.
How much load can a 15 amp circuit breaker hold?
The trip point on a 15 amp breaker is 15 amps. So a load that draws a current over 15 amps will trip the breaker.
How do you change a 15 amp outlet to a 20 amp outlet?
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
