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Can you use a 30 amp breaker when you have need for only 20 amps?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
The question is one of protection of conductors (wires). A 30 amp breaker must have a #10 copper conductor or larger for adequate protection. A smaller wire (larger number) such as #12, is not protected by a 30 amp breaker. If the equipment you are powering only requires 20 amps, using a 30 amp breaker and #10 AWG wire is acceptable provided all other elements of the circuit are listed for 30 amp circuits.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoIn general, no. The device (outlet) needs to be capable of handling the amount of current (amps) that can possibly be present in the circuit. Also, it would be unusual to find a 30amp 120 volt circuit, unless it were a dedicated circuit for a special appliance, and if it is a dedicated circuit no other outlets on that circuit would be allowed. But, all depends on the code you are required to meet.
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What breaker for 17.3 amps?
I would suggest a 20 amp breaker. * Added - I would suggest a 25 amp breaker. A slight surge, depending upon what equipment is the source of the 17.3 amp load, should not result in circuit breaker opening. <<>> In North America, the electrical code only allows circuit loading up to 80% on a continuous load. A 20 amp breaker can be legally loaded to 16 amps. A 25 amp breaker can be legally loaded to 20 amps.
It is safe to use 8-3 wire on a 50 amp breaker?
No, it is not safe to use a #8 conductor on a 50 amp breaker. A #8 conductor is only rated at 45 amps capacity. By connecting it to a 50 amp breaker, which would trip at 50 amps on an overload, would overload the conductor by an extra 5 amps. This would be a conflict against the electrical code.
What size amp circuit breaker would protect a 12kW boiler?
The breaker protects the wiring not the boiler. 12,000 watts at 240 volts will require 50 amps. So, you will need a 60 amp breaker using AWG# 6 wire on a dedicated circuit.
Should 25 amps breaker be replaced by 20 amps?
For typical residential house wiring 12 AWG wire is required for a 20 Amp breaker. If you change out the breaker for a 25 A breaker you would have to rewire the circuit with 10 AWG. In that case you could up the breaker to 30 Amps. All outlets and switches should be rated at the same voltage and current as the 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.
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
Could you use a 12gauge wire for a 25 amp breaker single pole?
No a #12 wire is only rated for 20 amps. The 40 amp breaker will not protect the #12 wire. A 40 amp breaker should have a #8 wire connected to it which is rated at 45 amps. The only time that a breaker is allowed to be bigger that the wire size rating according to the electrical code is when a motor is connected to the breaker. This is to stop the 300 percent inrush of the motor full load amps from nuisance tripping a smaller sized breaker.
What breaker for 17.3 amps?
I would suggest a 20 amp breaker. * Added - I would suggest a 25 amp breaker. A slight surge, depending upon what equipment is the source of the 17.3 amp load, should not result in circuit breaker opening. <<>> In North America, the electrical code only allows circuit loading up to 80% on a continuous load. A 20 amp breaker can be legally loaded to 16 amps. A 25 amp breaker can be legally loaded to 20 amps.
Can you use a double pole 15 amp breaker in place of a 20 amp single pole breaker for a 12000 BTU air conditioner?
If the 12,000 BTU A/C only requires 20 amps to run then yes you can use the same 12 gauge wire but you cannot change it to a 15 amp breaker. You will need to install a 20 amp double pole breaker. If it requires more than 20 amps you will have to replace the wiring and breaker.
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 difference between a 30 amp and a 40 amp breaker?
10 amps
What wire to use on 20 amp breaker?
A #12 copper conductor with an insulation factor of 90 degrees C is rated at 20 amps. A #14 conductor can not be connected to a 20 amp breaker as that conductor is only rated at 15 amps.
Can you hook a 15 amp and 20 amp breaker to a breaker box using 20 amp wire?
If the full load amps rating of the motor on the name plate is exactly 15 amps you need to use # 12 wire. If it is a longer run you may have to go up one more wire size. The breaker size you need is 30 amps.
If you have a 200A Meter Main Combo do you need a main 200A breaker in the panel?
When I went to a 100 amp service I could not find a 100 amp. breaker in stock. I used a 60 amp. breaker and have never blown it. The 200 amp you are using can handle up to 200 amps, but if you use a smaller breaker it will only handle up to that amperage. The 200 amp is usally the total amperage of all the breakers comming out of the box. You will probably never come anywhere near using 200 amps at one time.
It is safe to use 8-3 wire on a 50 amp breaker?
No, it is not safe to use a #8 conductor on a 50 amp breaker. A #8 conductor is only rated at 45 amps capacity. By connecting it to a 50 amp breaker, which would trip at 50 amps on an overload, would overload the conductor by an extra 5 amps. This would be a conflict against the electrical code.
What breaker to use in a bedroom that holds up to 15 amps with 120v?
15 amp breaker.
Why would i need a 20-Amp Single-Pole Switch insted of a 15 Amp?
You would need a 20 amp switch when the load controlled by the switch can draw as much as 20 amps. If you have a 20 Amp breaker supplying the circuit then you need to size all switches and outlets on that circuit to 20 amps.
