(Electrician advice) installing breaker 15 amp to 20 amp

Apalchen

Well-Known Member
Are these gauge wires the same ?
I don't believe so, if you follow them to where they come in the box one is wrapped in yellow which is 12 gauge and goes to the 20 amp breaker, the wire going to 15 amp breaker if followed back has grey sheathing which is usually 14 gauge wire.

Cant see the sheathing in this picture but on the other picture you can.
 

1ManTeam

Active Member
I don't believe so, if you follow them to where they come in the box one is wrapped in yellow which is 12 gauge and goes to the 20 amp breaker, the wire going to 15 amp breaker if followed back has grey sheathing which is usually 14 gauge wire.

Cant see the sheathing in this picture but on the other picture you can.
Thank u , if I have surge protection attachments on these outlets I should be ok rite? Won’t catch on fire ?
 

J232

Well-Known Member
So your saying if too much watts is coming into the outlet the surge protector won’t trip the outlet or circuit breaker to switch off?
Use the correct wire or burn your place down, there is no other answer or shortcut. I get the feeling you really just want to throw a 20 amp breaker in. You need to have the correct wire and the correct 20 amp plug.
 

Apalchen

Well-Known Member
Thank u , if I have surge protection attachments on these outlets I should be ok rite? Won’t catch on fire ?
If you leave the 14 gauge wire and 15 amp breakers the system will work like designed and shut off if you try to draw too much. If you switch to a 20 amp breaker and leave the 14 gauge wire your wire then becomes the weak point and can catch fire.

If you must have another 20 amp breaker you need to change the wire.
 

PadawanWarrior

Well-Known Member
Use the correct wire or burn your place down, there is no other answer or shortcut. I get the feeling you really just want to throw a 20 amp breaker in. You need to have the correct wire and the correct 20 amp plug.
Another person who only want to hear what they want to hear. I'd call the Fire Department now so they'll already be there when it catches on fire.
 

Apalchen

Well-Known Member
No , I meant jus to leave everything how it is and jus run on two different outlets with surge protectors
I don't know what your loads are to say for sure, but since your leaving electric alone it will work as designed and trip the breaker if you try to draw too much.
 

1ManTeam

Active Member
I don't know what your loads are to say for sure, but since your leaving electric alone it will work as designed and trip the breaker if you try to draw too much.
Yup , sounds safer... I’m getting ahead of myself and probably won’t even need to touch any breakers. I’ll find out this week or next when I get my led attachment
 

Apalchen

Well-Known Member
Not saying extension cords are the best route but if you have to run that ac you might need to run your light or fans on an extension cord coming from another room so you can split up the load some more. Just make sure to buy a quality extension cord with thick wire. Don't overload it, just get rid of 5-7 amps to free up room for the AC.

I did this for a long time with no incident before I learned how to wire up new circuits. Just use common sense about loads and buy quality extension cords.
 

1ManTeam

Active Member
Add up the watts and split the loads on existing 15
Not saying extension cords are the best route but if you have to run that ac you might need to run your light or fans on an extension cord coming from another room so you can split up the load some more. Just make sure to buy a quality extension cord with thick wire. Don't overload it, just get rid of 5-7 amps to free up room for the AC.

I did this for a long time with no incident before I learned how to wire up new circuits. Just use common sense about loads and buy quality extension cords.
amp breakers. Prob need 2-3 15 amps. Your good for about 1300 watts a breaker. Include whatever else is on that circuit.
Will do and thanks for the advice , much appreciated
 
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