Newb question -

My home is less than 2 years old. I'm not sure which gauge wire it is wired with (14 or 12). I have 3 upstairs rooms all on one 15-amp breaker. Both of my kids rooms and our workout room. My wife has a tanning bed (120v, 15a) in the workout room. Sometimes, the breaker trips when she turns on the bed but not all of the time.

My question is: is it SAFE to upgrade to a 20-Amp breaker?

Keep in mind that the tanning bed is only on for 7 minutes at a time (maximum time, timer driven) and she is always present when it's on. (basically, it doesn't draw any power until she's laid down inside of it).

My concern is excessive heat from the amperage draw degrading the wire over time and possibly causing issues in any of the 3 rooms.

Thanks,
Thom - New Mexico

The short answer is no. The breaker trips when the amperage draw is greater than 15 amps. To permit more than 15 amps would cause the wire to over heat and create a fire hazard. Your wife will have to insure that nothing else on that circuit is being used when she is using the tanning bed. It's either that or run a new 20 amp circuit.

Thanks Harold:cool: for the quick response! I might just have a pro come out and wire her a dedicated 20amp breaker outlet solely for her tanning bed. Good thing is that the room in question is directly over the garage and breaker box. Thanks again Harold.

Thom - New Mexico :)

Check and see if the wire is 12 or 14 gauge.

Hopefully the electrician will remove panel cover, determine if it is #12, then it can go on a 20 Amp breaker, as well as check if all rooms and tanning bed are wirenutted, then connected to 1 breaker, May be able to separate and add breakers.