answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

You could if it fit properly in the connector, but it would be massive overkill since you only need 12 AWG wire. You also have to make sure the load can physically accommodate that larger size wire.

Every so often someone will replace an electric cooktop witha gas one. All of the new gas cooktops require a 110v outlet. The old electric cooktop may have been run with a 50 amp breaker (and probably 6 gauge wire) In order to convert this 220 v circuit to a 110v circuit we change to a 20amp breaker. Depending upon the brand of breaker sometimes the wire will fit into it. If not, we splice on a short piece of 12 gauge wire and then connect to the breaker.

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

The minimum size wire to be fed from a 20 amp breaker is a #12 AWG.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

No. Absolutely not. It's a fire hazard and not in compliance with U.S. electrical codes.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Can you run 14 gauge wire off 12 gauge 20 amp breaker?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Electrical Engineering

Can you use 14 wire for a light off a 20 amp circuit?

Yes, in home wiring as long as it is protected by a 15 amp breaker. Remember this circuit will only handle 1800 watts and cannot be loaded to any more than 1440 watts. So if each light is 75 watts then the maximum you can install is 19.


What will happen if a wire that is plugged in heats up?

its casing will dry out, crack and catch fire, or it will crack off and cause arking, which can cause a fire... ultimately, check the gauge size of the circuit and make sure it corresponds to the proper amperage of breaker, if this is all good, you need a bigger cord(the gauge size must be sufficient for the intended tool/device.. a drill that has a 16 amp rating needs a 12 gauge cord whereas a 12 amp drill needs only a 14 gauge cord.


What can you run off a 50 Amp breaker?

Anything that does not pull over 50 amps.


Have 240v 30amp breaker need to connect a 240volt 40 amp cooktop can you do this I have a 103 600volt wire the cooktop power supply requires 240volt 4 wire 60 hz?

Yes you can. As long as you don't use 40 amps. The 30 amp breaker may kick off if you use all things at once. So you are well protected but not up to code. The 4th wire required for the new stove is probably a ground fault wire. So run a new cable or cook slower.


How can you prevent fires from electrical equipment?

This depends entirely on what you are doing. You can prevent static shocks be wearing tighter clothing, and avoiding wool and nylon. You can prevent being shocked by the wall outlet by using protective outlet covers. When working with hobby electronics, there is little more necessary then caution. Once the voltage you are working with surpasses about 1000 volts or so, there is nothing you can do except keep your distance, and pass it off to someone experienced in dealing with high voltage.

Related questions

What gauge wire to run off a 20 amp breaker?

Use AWG 12/2 with ground.


Is it ok to exchange a 20 amp breaker with a 40 amp breaker?

No. The 20 amp breaker is probably protecting a #12 wire. Connecting a 40 amp breaker to the 20 amp #12 wire would seriously overload the #12 wire. This means that if the load increased to a full 40 amps the insulation on the smaller size wire would most likely melt off and the wire could short out.


How do you wire a 15 amp breaker?

Ground wire connects to the ground bar, white wire connects to the neutral bar, and black wire connects to the breaker. Be sure and turn off main breaker before installing the wire or the breaker.


Can you use 14 wire for a light off a 20 amp circuit?

Yes, in home wiring as long as it is protected by a 15 amp breaker. Remember this circuit will only handle 1800 watts and cannot be loaded to any more than 1440 watts. So if each light is 75 watts then the maximum you can install is 19.


How do you replace a 15 amp breaker in the circuit box?

The breaker will have a black wire connected to it. Turn off the main breaker and then disconnect that black wire from the breaker. The breaker will snap into the main bar. Remove the breaker and install the new one. Reconnect the black wire to the breaker and then install the cover and turn the main breaker back on.


Can you run 8 gauge wire on a 50 amp breaker?

6ga should be used. It might not be against codes where you are,and you might have a 50amp installed for something that only uses 40amp, but it should be done right, and 6ga should be used off of a 50amp breaker.


Can you safely change a 30 amp breaker to 20 amps?

No, this is not a recommended procedure. The breakers main job is to protect the wire that is connected to it. A 20A breaker will have a #12 wire (rated 20A) connected to it. A 30A breaker will have a #10 wire (rated 30A) connected to it. As you can see if you use a 30A breaker on a #12 wire you could overload the wire by 10 amps. I have seen an incident where the insulation has melted off of an overloaded wire, the wire short out and a fire start before the bigger size breaker tripped. DON'T DO IT.


Can you use a 20 amp receptacle for a 20 amp appliance?

Yes you can as long as it is feed off of a 20 amp circuit in at least #12 gauge wire.


Why does an Electric circuit breaker have a melted wire?

Wow that is hugely dangerous and a risk of fire. They get hot because you are running a large amperage through them, melting cause it is overloaded. For example. If you had a 20 amp breaker, and 12 gauge wire (20A), and a 15 amp recepticle. Then the most you would want to run on that recepticle is 12 amps continuously, 15 amp peak non continuous. If you replaced the recepticle with a 20 amp recepticle you could run 20 amp peak, or 16 amps continiously. You could not go with a higher amp outlet as the circuit only has 12 gauge wire, and a 20A breaker. If you plugged something with a 30 amp draw into said outlet you would get the outlet hot. find out how many amps you are drawing off the outlet in question, then check the gauge of the wire in the wall, and the rating of the outlet and breaker that outlet is off of. Then we could decide what to do next. Well,Being a Electrician, my advice is if you have to ask question about that call a Electrician IMMEDIATLY!!!!It could be a number of things.A loose wire in the back of plug in,worse yet a broken wire that keeps rubbing together ,(EXTREME FIRE HAZARD)Electricity is nothing to fool with if you are not trained.BE SAFE<SMART.Turn circut breaker OFF.CALL ELECTRICIAN Really,cmon. Residential pulling that much power off ! outlet.....look outside the box!!how old is house would be first question


How do you stop breaker from kicking off when electric heater is on?

try higher amp breaker


How many volts can you draw off of a 15amp breaker?

It's the amps that are controlled by the breaker not the volts. You can have a 600 volt 15 amp breaker, you can have a 347 volt 15 amp breaker. The breaker will trip when you exceed 15 AMPS.


Can a 20 amp breaker be replaced with a 15 amp breaker?

No!You cannot simply replace a breaker with a larger one. You would have to tear out ALL of the wiring and replace it with larger. If you just install a larger breaker, you will most likely start a fire, as the existing wiring cannot handle the increased current. You must find the reason the existing breaker is tripping and fix it. If the circuit is overloaded, you will have to either move some of the load to a different circuit, or have the WHOLE circuit upgraded, including wiring and breaker.You will need a licensed electrician to do any repairs or upgrades. You are not qualified to do this work.IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.If you do this work yourself, always turn off the powerat the breaker box/fuse panel BEFORE you attempt to do any work AND always use a meter or voltage indicatorto insure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.