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why doesn't breaker trip?
on one of the breakers on my breaker box runs all the electricity to the upstairs of my house, im assuming its a 15amp (it doesn't say just that its 200 amp total on the entire breaker box, thers 20 breakers but only 14-15 in use). In the summer why doesn't the breaker trip when we run 2 small air conditioners, 2 computers, and a few lights? even when we use a 12 amp vacuum it doesn't trip, wouldn't 12 amps plus all that be more then15 amps?
thanks ill go check now but we had an electrician come in and wire up a 200 amp breaker because the old one was too small, and he made a list of whats on what circuit and it says the entire upstairs which is 3 rooms (2 small) a hallway and a small bathroom and 2 ceiling fans downstairs.
ok just checked. everything upstairs except for 1 outlet is on 1 15amp circuit then the 1 plug upstairs where one of the ac plugs into is on a separate 20amp circuit along with an outside spotlight and a few lights downstairs. I think ill just turn circuits on and off and make sure about it. thanks everyone
just realized they do have numbers stamped on them, 1 15 amp is running the entire upstairs and 1 out of the 2 acs, the other ac is on a 20 amp along with 2 floodlights, and the downstairs bathroom
8 Answers
- photomyrnaLv 61 decade agoFavorite Answer
You're mistaken, there is no way that that a single 15 could service your entire upstairs ~
- Corky RLv 71 decade ago
You're saying that the whole upstairs, in which you have the two A/C's, 2 computers, lights and a vacuum occasionally all run off one fuse, or circuit, and it's only 15 amps, you think. Well, first, every breaker I've ever seen has the amp limit stamped on it somewhere, so you should look again. It's possible that it's a 20 or 25 amp, if it's running the whole floor. This would make it almost possible, but the two small A/C's alone should draw more than that, so if they're being run at the same time, it should trip right there. However, if you investigate a little further, I'd bet you'll find that there's another circuit going up there.
Source(s): 40 + years of home repairs and maint'. - jekinLv 61 decade ago
It may be a 20 amp breaker. a small ac may only pull 8 amps except for starting. The compressors may not be running all the time. computers only take about one amp at the most. You anly run the vacuum for a few minutes. A breaker will allow more than the rated current for a short time. It is acceptable to have several 15 a receptacles on 20 amp circuits. The only to be sure is to look at the wire that goes to the breaker. If it is 14 ga then the breaker must be 15 a if it is 12 ga then the breaker can't be more than 20 a. Another way to check is turn off the breaker and see what works.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Something`s definitely not right there , Humphrey !
No way will a 15 or 20 amp breaker handle all that ! there has to be more than one circuit up there ........
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- Anonymous1 decade ago
A ll breaker switches have the amperage written on them. Otherwise how would an electrician know what fuse to fit for any circuit,
- 1 decade ago
could be 20amp,and or feel the supposed 15amp is it warm and or hot mabey faulty....
