Youcan butyou shouldn't. A #12 copper conductor's rating is20 amps.
The overcurrent protection on the branch should be LESS than the ampacity of the smallest conductor. That way, the breaker will blow before the wire gets red hot, damages its insulation, or causes a structure fire.
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No, the ampacity rating of a #12 conductor is only 20 amps and the breaker would not protect the conductor at a rating of 30 amps before trip. The only time a breaker can be larger that the conductor rating is when connecting a motor load to the breaker. This is to allow the inrush current of the motor, on start up, to prevent the breaker from tripping due to the large current flow.
The size breaker you use is determined by the size wire used in the circuit. If you use AWG #12/2 wire then use a 20 amp breaker. If you use AWG # 14/2 then use a 15 amp breaker.
Yes, if you are using AWG # 10 wire. If you are using AWG # 12 then the answer is no you must use a 20 amp breaker. On AWG #14 wire you must use a 15 amp breaker.
For typical residential house wiring 12 AWG wire is required for a 20 Amp breaker. If you change out the breaker for a 25 A breaker you would have to rewire the circuit with 10 AWG. In that case you could up the breaker to 30 Amps. All outlets and switches should be rated at the same voltage and current as the breaker.
Use a 20 amp fuse or breaker.
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.