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Do you have to change the wiring as well as the circuit when changing to a higher amperage?
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
Definetely, in 23 yrs I have never had a case that would allow the wire/breaker to remain.
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
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Why is it important that homes have circuit breakers?
Fuses and circuit breakers are meant to protect your home's wiring from the heat generated from fault-currents and over-currents. Over-currents happen when you exceed the amperage the fuse or breaker is rated for over a period of time (IE: drawing 20 amps on a 15 amp circuit breaker). When this occurs a fuse or circuit breaker will open the circuit so the wiring in your home will not be damaged. Over-currents happen when electricity finds a path, other than the one intended, to ground. When this happens there is very little resistance to slow the flow of electricity and the amperage through the circuit can exceed the fuse or circuit breakers rated capacity by several hundred times . These type of faults cause the fuse or circuit breaker to open the circuit very quickly.
How do you calculate the size of cable according to current?
First determine the amperage of the circuit . e. g 15 amp or 20 amp ( typical household circuit ratings) the gauge is 14 and 12 respectively. The lower the gauge number the higher the current handling capability.
Can voltage across an element be greater than the applied voltage in an ac circuit?
Yes, if there is a step up coil in the circuit. Coils can change voltage and amps in any given circuit. If the voltage is increased, than the amperage is decreased (or vice versa). This is how an ignition coil in a car works. A 14 volt auto electrical system can have 1000 volts across the spark plugs. Without a coil, I know of no other way voltage in any part of a circuit can be higher than applied voltage. A 1000V? TRY 30 KV TO 40 KV @80-100MW
What is mean by pick up current?
Pick up current refers to the amperage required when energizing an electrical circuit. For example, when turning on an electic motor the amperage drawn while starting could be 5 to 10 times higher than when the motor is running. This is why the lights in your house may dim for a moment when the furnace blower starts, or in your work shop when you start a cicular saw or other large power tool.
What happen to the circuit if there is higher resistance?
In what sense.
When a circuit is inductive the current has what voltage?
This doesn't make sense, "current" is "amperage" so the higher the voltage the lower the amperage, and the lower the voltage the higher the amperage.
Is amperage rating and running amperage the same thing?
Usually the current rating for a circuit is higher than the current usually taken. This leaves a little margin for safety.
Will a circuit breaker give off less amperage?
A circuit breaker does not give off amperage. A circuit breaker allows a flow of current up to the rating of the breaker. Any current higher than that of the breaker's rating will open the breaker's contacts and stop the flow of current.
Can a 8 amp be changed to 15 amps on circuit breaker?
If you are asking if you can change an 8 Amp Circuit Breaker to 15 Amps, the answer is no. If there is an 8 A breaker in place it is sized to protect the wiring and devices on the circuit. Increasing to 15 A would defeat this protection and could cause a fire or cause a connected device to be destroyed with higher amperage.
Will a fuse of a higher amperage rating have a higher melting point link?
No, a fuse of a higher amperage rating will not usually have a higher melting point link. The higher amperage fuse will use a wider link or a link of larger diameter.
It is ok to use a fuse with a higher amperage rating and not ok to use a fuse with a smaller amperage rating why?
It is ok to use a fuse with a higher amperage rating and not ok to use a fuse with a smaller amperage rating why?
Why is it not okay to use a fuse with a higher amperage rating in an electrical circuit?
The fuse is supposed to be the weakest link in the circuit. The circuit is rated to handle a specific load current. The wire and insulation rating of the circuit is governed by this specific load. If this load malfunctions and the load current becomes higher that what is specified, the fuse is there to break the circuit. A fuse of a higher rating than what is called for will allow a higher current to flow through the circuit which could cause the insulation on the wire to melt, the wire to burn open or components in the circuit to become unusable. Never over fuse an electrical circuit with a larger amp rated fuse.
Can you add another appliance to a circuit by simply changing breaker to a larger amperage?
The most sensible solution is to get a qualified electrician to check the wiring to see what the maximum load should be, and if necessary re-wire with higher capacity wire/configuration. You can (there is nothing physically to stop you), but whether it is a good idea or not is a totally different matter - you risk starting a fire if you do. The breaker amperage is set based on the wiring of the circuit - the wire used, along with how the wiring has been done, will limit the maximum current that can be allowed through the circuit; if this maximum is exceeded there is a risk of the wiring overheating and causing a fire.
Why does a wall switch 'crackle' and the light flicker?
There is a high current draw on the circuit and the switch is getting old. Change out the switch, see if you can find a 20 amp switch as the internal contacts are designed to take the higher amperage. Check how many lamps are in the circuit in watts, add them together and use the formula for amps. Amps = Watts/Volts (120).
Can you plug a motion detector light into an outlet?
Yes of course, power is power, all 110volt, what ever the source in your house (except a dryer circuit that is usually higher). The difference is the amperage of the circuit. Lighting circuits have amperage controlling breakers that are usually 15amp, power circuits are usually 20amp but excepting a very very unusual condition you would not need to worry about it.
Does using a higher than necessary ampacity in electrical circuits cause a higher electrical meter reading?
No, the electrical meter reads watts by multiplying the voltage and the amperage used in electrical circuits. Using oversize wire does not govern the amperage flow to the load. The load resistance in the circuit is what governs the amount of current that flows through the wire. This current in the load circuit is multiplied by the voltage applied to the circuit at the electrical meter. The product of this multiplication is wattage, multiplied by the amount of time the load is on, is what the electrical utility bill is based on.
Can you run a motor of greater amperage draw with a motor of less amperage draw?
It looks like you are asking if a higher amperage motor can replace a lower amperage motor. It depends on what the amperage difference is. If the amperage is high enough to move the capacity of the wire out of its rated value then it should not be done.Remember motor conductors have to be rated at 125% of the motors nameplate amperage. As the amperage increases so does the HP and the motor's protection will also have to be increased or the motor will trip the lower overload protection settings.Also keep in mind that if the motor is three phase, running a motor with higher HP on a load that does not need the extra HP, it will lower the power factor of the supply distribution.
