I have two computers and a space heater (at about 2100 watts total) on in my room. Whenever I then turn on my coffee maker it trips the circuit breaker. Some times it trips when just the second computer is turned on. So, if I replace the 20 amp circuit breaker in the electric box with a 30 amp breaker, will that stop the electric from shutting off?
Ronald Greene
Favorite Answer
Yes, and that will also bring the fire department! Never, never, NEVER replace a breaker with a higher rated one!
The wiring in your walls is rated to handle the circuit breaker's trip current safely. The purpose of a circuit breaker is to keep your wiring from being overloaded and starting a fire in your wall. If you put in a higher rated breaker, you defeat the protection the circuit breaker provides and run the risk of burning your house down from overloaded wiring.
Plug some items into outlets on another circuit. That is the only safe and reasonable immediate solution.
Anonymous
Odds are you can't legally replace it with a 30 amp breaker. A 20 amp circuit requires a number 12 wire while a 30 amp breaker requires a number 10 wire based on the national electric code. Your 20 amp breaker doesn't have a big enough wire to support a 30 amp breaker. This breaker is probably 24 years old and should just be replaced with a new 20 amp breaker. These breakers do wear out over time and trip because they're faulty not overloaded. Replacing a breaker is a pretty simple task even for a novice but electricity can kill you so if you're not comfortable I suggest getting help. If you're inexperienced I suggest killing the main breaker (probably 200 amp) that feeds the entire panel. By doing this the only wires that are hot are the main feeder wires going into that 200 amp breaker. There should be a black wire attached to your 20 amp faulty breaker. Simply loosen the screw holding the wire and remove the wire from the breaker. Pull the breaker away from the panel gripping it from the end where the wire was attached. Once it's away from the panel pull slightly away from the center of the panel to remove it from the hook that keeps it on the panel board. To install the new one simply repeat these steps in reverse. Put the right or left side of the new breaker under the hook in the center of the panel depending on which side the breaker is on then push the other side of the breaker flat to the panel. Once it is snapped into place put the wire under the screw and tighten it down. Turn your main breaker back on and turn on the 20 amp breaker and you should be off an running. Never stand in front of an electrical panel when you turn it on, always stand to the side so if it should explode you're not directly in front of it. If you still have problems with the new breaker tripping your circuit is overloaded and you should hire a qualified electrician to move some of the outlets on that circuit to a different circuit.
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30 Amp Circuit Breaker
Kennan
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RE:
Can I replace a 20 amp circuit breaker with a 30 amp?
I have two computers and a space heater (at about 2100 watts total) on in my room. Whenever I then turn on my coffee maker it trips the circuit breaker. Some times it trips when just the second computer is turned on. So, if I replace the 20 amp circuit breaker in the electric box with a 30 amp...
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30 Amp Breaker