Branch circuit loading In Canada the CEC states that there shall be not more than 12 outlets on any 2-wire branch circuit. These outlets shall be considered to be rated at not less than 1 amp per outlet
Where the connected load is known, the number of outlets shall be permitted to exceed 12, provided that the load current does not exceed 80% of the rating of the over current device protecting the circuit. For example on a 15 amp breaker, 15 x 80% = 12 amps, hence the standard of 12 outlets on any 2-wire branch circuit.
On a 20 amp breaker, 20 x 80% = 16 amps. So from a 20 amp breaker this allows 16 outlets on a 2-wire branch circuit as long as the outlets are not considered to be rated at less than 1 amp per outlet.
The definition of an outlet is a point in the wiring installation at which current is taken to supply utilisation equipment. What this means is that if a light switch and a fixture outlet were on the same 2-wire branch circuit they would be subtracted from the maximum count of 12 receptacle outlets on the circuit which would leave 10.
If the light fixture draws 3 amps plus the switch outlet, then the total circuit outlet count would be reduced to 8 receptacle outlets (12 – 3 – 1 = 8).
On a standard specification home most electricians will wire one circuit per room, the outlet count usually never reaches the maximum of 12 outlets.
No. The breaker must protect the circuit components such as wiring, outlets and switches that are connected to the breaker. Therefore if you have a 30 amp circuit as dictated by its components you need to protect it with a 30 amp or less breaker.
A 15 amp circuit breaker will handle this situation very well. The smallest home breaker is rated at 15 amp.
You use the correct size breaker depending on the size wire in the circuit. If the circuit is wired with AWG #12 wire use a 20 amp breaker. If it is wired with AWG #14 wire then use a 15 amp breaker.
A circuit breaker protects the wires that the devices are connected to. If the devices that are connected to the circuit are 20 amps the wire size should be #12 wire fed from a 20 amp breaker. This breaker should not trip unless the circuit is overloaded or a fault occurs on the circuit. If the devices that are connected to the circuit are15 amps the wire size should be #14 wire fed from a15 amp breaker. This breaker should not trip unless the circuit is overloaded or a fault occurs on the circuit. Putting 20 amp sockets on this 15 amp circuit will work but the circuit is limited to the amount of load that can be plugged in. You will not get the full capacity of the 20 socket because the breaker will trip at 15 amps.
No tandem breakers are of the same value.
A 32 amp fixture can not be fed from a 20 amp breaker as the breaker will trip every time.
No. The breaker must protect the circuit components such as wiring, outlets and switches that are connected to the breaker. Therefore if you have a 30 amp circuit as dictated by its components you need to protect it with a 30 amp or less breaker.
Usually a 15 or 20 amp breaker is sufficient
Replace the 30 Amp Breaker with a 15 Amp breaker.
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.
No more than 13 maximum on a 20 amp circuit.
The pool light is usually on a 15 amp circuit. The breaker feeding this circuit must have a GFCI rating.
A 15 amp circuit breaker will handle this situation very well. The smallest home breaker is rated at 15 amp.
You use the correct size breaker depending on the size wire in the circuit. If the circuit is wired with AWG #12 wire use a 20 amp breaker. If it is wired with AWG #14 wire then use a 15 amp breaker.
16A
A circuit breaker protects the wires that the devices are connected to. If the devices that are connected to the circuit are 20 amps the wire size should be #12 wire fed from a 20 amp breaker. This breaker should not trip unless the circuit is overloaded or a fault occurs on the circuit. If the devices that are connected to the circuit are15 amps the wire size should be #14 wire fed from a15 amp breaker. This breaker should not trip unless the circuit is overloaded or a fault occurs on the circuit. Putting 20 amp sockets on this 15 amp circuit will work but the circuit is limited to the amount of load that can be plugged in. You will not get the full capacity of the 20 socket because the breaker will trip at 15 amps.
No tandem breakers are of the same value.