15 amp breaker replaced with a 20 amp?
digitalvideo
Posts: 983
I created a thread a few months back about my circuit breaker that kept tripping and I thought my plasma blew out, we concluded it was because of a AFCI arc-fault breaker, that thread has been moved or deleted...
I had a electrician this morning replace the 15 amp AFCI breaker with a 20 amp, but I have been told in the past that could be a fire hazard or something bad could happen by replacing a 15 with a 20.
Also, can I now plug in a 20 amp power conditioner into that wall outlet or stick to a 15 amp power conditioner?
I had a electrician this morning replace the 15 amp AFCI breaker with a 20 amp, but I have been told in the past that could be a fire hazard or something bad could happen by replacing a 15 with a 20.
Also, can I now plug in a 20 amp power conditioner into that wall outlet or stick to a 15 amp power conditioner?
Post edited by digitalvideo on
Comments
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sure
you can also use a 20 amp conditioner in a 20 amp circuit breaker and outlet.
I would check to see what additional loads / outlets would be
on the entire circuit that may be shared with that outlet you are using with your Plasma
or whatever gear you are currently using -
as long as your wire is heavy enough to handle it there is no problem. I had to do the same thing in my basement and have not had any problems and the wire does not even get warm.
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I just checked again more closely, it's a Square D 20 amp breaker.
It's powering:
Pioneer Elite Kuro PRO-151FD 60" plasma
Coaxial cable outlet (CATV)
Comcast HD cable box
4 recessed ceiling lights
Hallway light -
you might want to
check the AMP rating on each item ( UL ratings sometimes )
making sure you do not exceed your breaker limit
add a fudge factor for that peak just in case..... -
sure
you can also use a 20 amp conditioner in a 20 amp circuit breaker and outlet.
He didn't replace the outlet, just the breaker inside the breaker box. Can I still plug in a 20 amp power conditioner into that outlet? -
you might want to
check the AMP rating on each item ( UL ratings sometimes )
making sure you do not exceed your breaker limit
add a fudge factor for that peak just in case.....
The breaker is Square D 20 amp Type HOM TIPO, 10kA, 120/240 V~ UL -
digitalvideo wrote: »He didn't replace the outlet, just the breaker inside the breaker box. Can I still plug in a 20 amp power conditioner into that outlet?
yes.
is it a dedicated circuit ? -
yes.
is it a dedicated circuit ?
I'm not sure if it's a dedicated circuit, does it truly matter? It is powering 5 different things that I posted above. The recessed ceiling lights have a power switch and dimmer. -
add the ratings of all of the 5 items together
it must not exceed the 20 amp breaker
if it is not a dedicated circuit
then you will need to calculate what other loads
there are and add those for a total. -
digitalvideo wrote: »I'm not sure if it's a dedicated circuit, does it truly matter? It is powering 5 different things that I posted above. The recessed ceiling lights have a power switch and dimmer.
just thought if you turn on that circuit
you can see what other items are affected
to make a determination if it is dedicated or not.... -
add the ratings of all of the 5 items together
it must not exceed the 20 amp breaker
if it is not a dedicated circuit
then you will need to calculate what other loads
there are and add those for a total.
Ok I will, if I don't experience anymore trips can I plug in a 20 amp power conditioner or stick with a 15 amp conditioner? What if it's still a 15 amp outlet? -
think of it in this way
input
output
the breaker will only allow 20 amps output
the conditioner whether 15 or 20 amps will only allow that 15 or 20 amps input
if you have a 15 breaker to a 20 amp conditioner
the breaker will trigger at 15 before reaching 20 amps.... kinda a mismatch but is OK
you just will not be able to fully load the conditioner
if the line is still 15 amp and you have a 20 amp breaker
that would be worrisome for me and should clarify with
your electrician to correct.
unless the conditioner is a transformer with internal protection but disregard that -
I would say this was NOT a good idea with what the electrician did. If the old breaker was a 15amp, then the electrical wires are probably 14g. 20amps circuits need to be 12g.
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Maybe the wire was 12g that is ok for a 20amp circuit, but if 14g that isn't safe. Compare the wire to another 20amp breaker or check another 15amp breaker.
Speakers
Carver Amazing Fronts
CS400i Center
RT800i's Rears
Sub Paradigm Servo 15
Electronics
Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
Parasound Halo A23
Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
Pioneer 79Avi DVD
Sony CX400 CD changer
Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR -
If it's a true 20 amp conditioner, it will have a 20 amp plug. It won't fit in a 15 amp receptacle.
As far as whether or not it was a good idea, as stated above, check the gauge of the wire. This would be more a concern in the future, not now, as you have no where near even a 15 amp draw with the items you listed on the circuit. -
you know
i should have asked earlier
PICTURES
.... otherwise you're pulling our chain.... -
doesn't sound like you used a licensed electrician
a 20 amp circuit needs to be completely rated for 20 amps, the breaker, the wiring and the receptacle, period.
Why would you ever let a 20 amp breaker feed a conductor or receptacle rated 15 amps?
And for these reasons, you can not physically insert a 20 amp plug, into a 15 amp receptacle.Dodd - Battery Preamp
Monarchy Audio SE100 Delux - mono power amps
Sony DVP-NS999ES - SACD player
ADS 1230 - Polk SDA 2B
DIY Stereo Subwoofer towers w/(4) 12 drivers each
Crown K1 - Subwoofer amp
Outlaw ICBM - crossover
Beringher BFD - sub eq
Where is the remote? Where is the $%#$% remote!
"I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us have...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..." -
disneyjoe7 wrote: »Maybe the wire was 12g that is ok for a 20amp circuit, but if 14g that isn't safe. Compare the wire to another 20amp breaker or check another 15amp breaker.
I saw the electrician come in with wires but I don't know if they were 12 gauge he was putting in, I didn't ask him because I wasn't aware of all of this when he came, it wasn't till I posted on here till I was brought up to date. He is a licensed certified electrician.
When it comes to knowing which gauge wire is connected to that specific 20 amp breaker how do I find the wire and follow it? There are so many wires coming out of the top of the breaker box, mostly white, one yellow, one black, it looks like around 20 to 23 wires coming out of the top of the box and 3 on the left side. -
Just compare another 20amp circuit wire to another 15amp circuit wire the 20 should look bigger then a 15 wire. Then compare that 20amp wire to the your new 20amp breaker.
Speakers
Carver Amazing Fronts
CS400i Center
RT800i's Rears
Sub Paradigm Servo 15
Electronics
Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
Parasound Halo A23
Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
Pioneer 79Avi DVD
Sony CX400 CD changer
Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR -
doesn't sound like you used a licensed electrician
a 20 amp circuit needs to be completely rated for 20 amps, the breaker, the wiring and the receptacle, period.
Why would you ever let a 20 amp breaker feed a conductor or receptacle rated 15 amps?
And for these reasons, you can not physically insert a 20 amp plug, into a 15 amp receptacle.
Using a 20 amp breaker to 15 amp outlets is perfectly acceptable, and up to code, as long as it's 12 ga wire. My whole house is wired that way, except the garage, which also has 20 amp outlets. -
Using a 20 amp breaker to 15 amp outlets is perfectly acceptable, and up to code, as long as it's 12 ga wire. My whole house is wired that way, except the garage, which also has 20 amp outlets.
like this -
I don't understand, I know nothing about electrical connections. How do I find the wire connected to the 20 amp breaker? Where is the wire? I have over 20 wires coming out of the top of the breaker box and 3 out the left side and they go through the walls and ceiling.
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Time for a service call. I was an electrician for years and this is one area you don't want to guess. If it is a 14ga wire hooked up to a 20amp breaker and anything happens it's an out for insurance. Plus I don't really think you would want to burn down your house.Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
Thanks
Ben -
digitalvideo wrote: »I don't understand, I know nothing about electrical connections. How do I find the wire connected to the 20 amp breaker? Where is the wire? I have over 20 wires coming out of the top of the breaker box and 3 out the left side and they go through the walls and ceiling.
if you are careful
get one of these
otherwise
consult with your licensed electrician -
digitalvideo wrote: »I don't understand, I know nothing about electrical connections. How do I find the wire connected to the 20 amp breaker? Where is the wire? I have over 20 wires coming out of the top of the breaker box and 3 out the left side and they go through the walls and ceiling.
Remove the outlet cover and look at the wire. The AWG will be printed on the wire casing. Turn off the breaker first just to be safe.
If he was licensed, I would hope he knew what he was doing, it's not that complicated even for a DIY'er. -
The breaker could be weak too. New just means unused. $100 for a service call is good peace of mind. Also the electrician may give you a break, or do it under warranty.
BenPlease. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
Thanks
Ben -
electricity can KILL
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Remove the outlet cover and look at the wire. The AWG will be printed on the wire casing. Turn off the breaker first just to be safe.
The wall outlet cover that the tv's power chord is plugged into is behind my plasma that is hung on the wall, I can't reach behind it, the tv weighs around 135 pounds. Could I lift up some of the ceiling panels to see if I can follow the wire to the tv and recessed ceiling lamps to see what wire is attached? Is that the wire I'm looking for?If he was licensed, I would hope he knew what he was doing, it's not that complicated even for a DIY'er.
I did over my basement in January with all new wiring then. Could the 15 amp breaker been connected to 12 gauge wire to begin with when they put in the new wiring in January and he put in a 15 amp breaker then? Do electricians connect 15 amp breakers to 12 gauge wires? -
If it is a 14ga wire hooked up to a 20amp breaker and anything happens it's an out for insurance. Plus I don't really think you would want to burn down your house.
Insurance won't cover that if something happens? -
If you can lift the ceiling tiles and see the wire it will say 14/2 or 12/2 on it.Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
Thanks
Ben
