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View Full Version : Circuit breakers


jduke44
Jun 16, 2005, 05:28 PM
It seems so far that our kitchen is wired all on the same circuit. When we use the oven and microwave or the microwave and the toaster oven which is on the other side of the room the breaker trips. That breaker is currently 15amps. Would it be all right to change that breaker to a 25 or 30 amp for the time being until I can trace the wires to separate them? Should the gas range and microwave be on its own circuit?

labman
Jun 16, 2005, 08:20 PM
Chances are the circuit is wired up with # 12 wire and you could safely change to a 20 amp breaker. If you can get a look at the right place on the wire, it will say something like 12-2 with ground. If it is only 14 gage, stick with the 15 amp breaker.

I wouldn't worry about the gas range and microwave. Most gas ranges only have a light and a timer that draw very little current.

jduke44
Jun 17, 2005, 12:16 PM
Thanks, labman, I will take a look at that. I remember someone telling me that a microwave should be on its own circuit. I wouldn't have worried about it if that was all it was but sense it seems the whole kitchen might be wired on the same I probably should get some of the wires off there. Buit for the time being I will make sure it is a 12 gage before I change it. Thanks again.