0
Can I replace a 15 amp breaker with a 20 amp breaker for an existing GFCI?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
14 gauge wire is rated for 15 amps wich is the smallest size breaker that is used in the US. I never heard of or saw a 10 amp breaker and I am a licesened electrical contractor
The 2008NEC (NFPA70) lists 16AWG copper allowed for up to a 10 amp CB, and 18AWG copper for up tpo a 7 amp CB, max current. Continuous loads must be derated to 8 amps and 5.6 amps respectively, see NFPA 70 2008, §240.4 (D) (1), (2)., but these are only going to be found in industrial applications.
Would the asked be so kind as to tell us what kind of equipment the 1 amp breaker is on?
14 AWG is still the minimum for a 15amp CB in general, this change might not be wise without an electrician looking at the entire circuit.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoNO!!!
The 15 amp breaker is sized to protect the wires of the circuit. Typically, a 15 amp breaker is used on 14 AWG wire. If you're planning to use a 20 amp breaker you'd need to pull out ALL of the 14 AWG wire and replace it with 12 AWG wire; which would mean that you'd need to open all of the walls, replace the wires then patch the walls.
If you were to use a 20 amp breaker on a 14 AWG wire, there would be serious potential for a fire, and you would probably have problems with the fire department afterward.
Don't do it!!!
The fact that it currently uses a GFCI just means that the hot lead of the circuit is being compared to the neutral and if there is any potential difference (indicating a ground fault) the circuit will trip.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Does anyone make a 100 amp GFCI breaker?
Not that I know of. The largest GFCI breaker I have seen is a 60 amp.
Who makes a main breaker 200 amp service that has built in 200 amp gfci?
NOBODY!
What breaker is compatible to a Gould GFCI 15 amp breaker?
GE or Siemens cutler hammer universal CL series
Can you replace your current cooker fuse 30 amp with a 40 amp circuit breaker?
A 30 amp breaker is designed to trip at an earlier point than a larger 40 amp breaker so one appliance that operates on lower amperage level could be unsafe or damaged before it could trip the higher 40 amp breaker. Also, the existing wiring may not be rated for 40 amp service.
I have a 15 amp tool hooked up to a 15 amp breaker- This trips the breaker even with nothing else running- There is also a GFCI outlet on the same circuit- Is the breaker or GFCI bad?
A 15 amp breaker will trip at 15 amps at an ambient temperature of 104 degree F. If the ambient temperature is higher the breaker will trip before 15 amps and if the ambient temperature is lower the breaker will trip after 15 amps. I would suspect the circuit is overloaded. But, you can change the breaker and see what happens. Just swap it with another one.
Does anyone make a 100 amp GFCI breaker?
Not that I know of. The largest GFCI breaker I have seen is a 60 amp.
Who makes a main breaker 200 amp service that has built in 200 amp gfci?
NOBODY!
What breaker is compatible to a Gould GFCI 15 amp breaker?
GE or Siemens cutler hammer universal CL series
What size amp circuit breaker should be used for a pool light?
The pool light is usually on a 15 amp circuit. The breaker feeding this circuit must have a GFCI rating.
Can a 4 amp breaker be used to replace a 35 amp breaker for ac unit?
NO!
How do you turn a 30 amp circuit into a 15 amp cicuit?
Replace the 30 Amp Breaker with a 15 Amp breaker.
Can you replace your current cooker fuse 30 amp with a 40 amp circuit breaker?
A 30 amp breaker is designed to trip at an earlier point than a larger 40 amp breaker so one appliance that operates on lower amperage level could be unsafe or damaged before it could trip the higher 40 amp breaker. Also, the existing wiring may not be rated for 40 amp service.
I have a 15 amp tool hooked up to a 15 amp breaker- This trips the breaker even with nothing else running- There is also a GFCI outlet on the same circuit- Is the breaker or GFCI bad?
A 15 amp breaker will trip at 15 amps at an ambient temperature of 104 degree F. If the ambient temperature is higher the breaker will trip before 15 amps and if the ambient temperature is lower the breaker will trip after 15 amps. I would suspect the circuit is overloaded. But, you can change the breaker and see what happens. Just swap it with another one.
Got new AC code says we need to replace the 30 amp with a 15 amp to pass code can this be done with existing wires safely?
All depends on the size of the existing wiring. If you have a 30 amp breaker on AWG #14 wire then this is an unsafe condition that must be corrected. 15 amp requires that the wire be AWG #14. If the wire is #15 then you can and should install a 15 amp breaker. 30 amp breakers are used on AWG #10 wire.
Can I replace a 50 amp 240v dryer outlet with a std 15 amp 240 volt outlet?
Theoretically yes if you remove the two pole 50 amp breaker and replace it with a 2 pole 15 amp breaker. This has to be done because the new receptacle is only rated at 15 amps and can not be protected by a breaker any larger than 15 amps.Physically this is not going to happen due to the fact that you will not be able to connect the existing #6 conductor, which fed the 50 amp dryer receptacle, under the terminals of the new 2 pole 15 amp breaker.
Can a 40 amp breaker not a 4 amp breaker be used to replace a 35 amp breaker for ac unit?
Depends on the size of the wire going to the A/C. If the wire is AWG #10 you cannot install a 40 amp breaker. If the wire is AWG #8 you can.
What size circuit breaker for GFCI circuit in a normal size bath?
Normally it is a 20 amp using AWG 12/2 gauge wire. But it really depends on what size wire is on that circuit. If it is white AWG 14 gauge then use a 15 amp breaker. If it is yellow AWG 12 gauge then use a 20 amp breaker.
