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The breaker's function is to protect the circuit so that no more than 20 amps flow. The ability to create the 20 amp flow comes from the voltage supplied by the power company and the load you connect to the supply through the breaker.
The breaker is just a switch that "opens" if the current flowing through it is to high. It has no role in generating the current.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
A 20 amp breaker is designed to handle up to 20 amps of current to protect the circuit from overheating. The actual amount of current flowing through the wire will depend on the electrical load connected to the circuit. If the load draws more than 20 amps, the breaker will trip to prevent damage.
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What size wire and breaker do you need for a 5000 watt garage heater?
Look on the heater and see what amps it is pulling. That will determine the wire size and breaker size. It must be on a dedicated circuit. 15 amps = AWG # 14 wire with 15 amp breaker 20 amps = AWG # 12 wire with 20 amp breaker 30 amps = AWG # 10 wire with 30 amp breaker 40 amps = AWG # 8 wire with 40 amp breaker
Could you use a 12gauge wire for a 25 amp breaker single pole?
No, a 12-gauge wire is typically rated for a 20 amp circuit. To safely handle a 25 amp breaker, you would need to use a 10-gauge wire. It's important to match the wire gauge to the amperage rating of the breaker to prevent overheating and potential fire hazards.
Can you hook a 15 amp and 20 amp breaker to a breaker box using 20 amp wire?
No, you should use wire that matches the lowest amp rating of the breakers connected to it. In this case, you should use 15 amp wire since one of the breakers is a 15 amp breaker. Matching the wire gauge to the lowest amp rating ensures the wire is protected from overheating in case of a short circuit.
Is it ok to exchange a 20 amp breaker with a 40 amp breaker?
No, it is not okay to replace a 20 amp breaker with a 40 amp breaker. Breakers are designed to protect the electrical wiring in your home, and using a higher amp breaker can overload the circuit and create a fire hazard. Always use the correct amperage breaker for the circuit.
Can a circuit breaker be tripped by using 20 amp sockets instead of 15 amp sockets?
A circuit breaker protects the wires that the devices are connected to. If the devices that are connected to the circuit are 20 amps the wire size should be #12 wire fed from a 20 amp breaker. This breaker should not trip unless the circuit is overloaded or a fault occurs on the circuit. If the devices that are connected to the circuit are15 amps the wire size should be #14 wire fed from a15 amp breaker. This breaker should not trip unless the circuit is overloaded or a fault occurs on the circuit. Putting 20 amp sockets on this 15 amp circuit will work but the circuit is limited to the amount of load that can be plugged in. You will not get the full capacity of the 20 socket because the breaker will trip at 15 amps.
What size wire and breaker do you need for a 5000 watt garage heater?
Look on the heater and see what amps it is pulling. That will determine the wire size and breaker size. It must be on a dedicated circuit. 15 amps = AWG # 14 wire with 15 amp breaker 20 amps = AWG # 12 wire with 20 amp breaker 30 amps = AWG # 10 wire with 30 amp breaker 40 amps = AWG # 8 wire with 40 amp breaker
Could you use a 12gauge wire for a 25 amp breaker single pole?
No, a 12-gauge wire is typically rated for a 20 amp circuit. To safely handle a 25 amp breaker, you would need to use a 10-gauge wire. It's important to match the wire gauge to the amperage rating of the breaker to prevent overheating and potential fire hazards.
Should 25 amps breaker be replaced by 20 amps?
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.
Can 50 Amp breaker replace 45 Amp breaker?
Both a 45 amp and 50 amp breaker would require 6 AWG wire. So if you have 6 AWG wire and any devices like an outlet are rated at 50 amps or greater you are okay.
How many amps breaker to use for canopy?
12/2 wire with a 20 amp breaker for normal home wiring.
How do you wire a 15 amp circuit?
Use a 15 amp breaker and 14 AWG wire and all switches and outlets rated at 15 amps or greater.
Can you hook a 15 amp and 20 amp breaker to a breaker box using 20 amp wire?
No, you should use wire that matches the lowest amp rating of the breakers connected to it. In this case, you should use 15 amp wire since one of the breakers is a 15 amp breaker. Matching the wire gauge to the lowest amp rating ensures the wire is protected from overheating in case of a short circuit.
Is it ok to exchange a 20 amp breaker with a 40 amp breaker?
No, it is not okay to replace a 20 amp breaker with a 40 amp breaker. Breakers are designed to protect the electrical wiring in your home, and using a higher amp breaker can overload the circuit and create a fire hazard. Always use the correct amperage breaker for the circuit.
Can a circuit breaker be tripped by using 20 amp sockets instead of 15 amp sockets?
A circuit breaker protects the wires that the devices are connected to. If the devices that are connected to the circuit are 20 amps the wire size should be #12 wire fed from a 20 amp breaker. This breaker should not trip unless the circuit is overloaded or a fault occurs on the circuit. If the devices that are connected to the circuit are15 amps the wire size should be #14 wire fed from a15 amp breaker. This breaker should not trip unless the circuit is overloaded or a fault occurs on the circuit. Putting 20 amp sockets on this 15 amp circuit will work but the circuit is limited to the amount of load that can be plugged in. You will not get the full capacity of the 20 socket because the breaker will trip at 15 amps.
Can you use 40 amp breaker for your lights and plug ins?
If you are referring to house wiring then the answer is no. A breaker protects the wire size that is connected to the breaker. In home wiring most homes are wired with a #14 wire which is rated at 15 amps. That is why the wire is protected by a 15 amp breaker. The correct wire size to connect to a 40 amp breaker is a #8. This size wire is too large to connect to receptacles an light fixture terminals.
Can you upgrade a 15 Amps circuit breaker for a 40 Amp for a 8.5 Watt shower?
Not unless you change the wiring for that circuit. The breaker protects the wiring and if you install a 40 amp breaker on a 15 amp wire circuit you will have a fire in your home.
Can you have a 120v circuit on a 30 amp breaker?
No, electrical code typically requires that circuits be protected by a breaker that matches the wire size. A 30 amp breaker is typically used for circuits with larger wire sizes. For a 120V circuit, a 20 amp breaker is more suitable with appropriate wire size.
