Hi,

I've got a very small basement workshop where I have a 1 1/2 hp tablesaw (15 amp) and a 1 1/2 hp dust collector (15 amp). I've got outlets in the basement on two separate circuits. Both circuits have 15 amp circuit breakers. It seems that either of those machines will draw a bit more than 15 amps on startup. The manual for the saw recommends a 20 amp circuit. The manual for the Dust Collector recommends a 20 amp circuit.

Circuit #1 has a series of basement outlets that have nothing plugged in and are not being used for anything. Sometimes I run a dehumidifer plugged into a receptacle on this circuit, but I can easily turn it off or unplug it to have nothing on the circuit at all.

Circuit #2 has another series of basement outlets that are not being used for anything and one fluorescent light in the kitchen. Sometimes I run a 2nd dehumidifer plugged into a receptacle on this circuit, but I can easily turn it off or unplug it to have nothing on the circuit at all.

I asked a handyman who has done some work for us in the past if I would have to have new circuits installed for the machines above. He said that because I'm not running anything else on Circuit #1 or Circuit #2 above and that as long as I only ran one piece of equipment at a time on each circuit (i.e. Saw on one circuit and dust collector on the other)... then it should be fine to just change the 15 amp breakers for 20 amp breakers.

Is this true? Is this advisable?

I'm certainly no electrician and neither is my handyman... so I figured I'd better ask for advice to be sure.

Thanks in advance!

You can only change the breaker to 20 Amps if the wire is #12 or larger.
#14 must be on a 15 amp.
The breaker protects the wire.

"it should be fine to just change the 15 amp breakers for 20 amp breakers." If he said this you need a new handyman. This would be unsafe and againist code. Like Strat says your wire must match or exceed the breaker. Wire sizes, gauges, for breakers (http://www.greatinspector.com/faq-elec-wiresize.html)

Yeah it might be time for a new handy man.

Did he even check the gauge of the wire in the wall before he said this?

You may not be an electrician,



I'm certainly no electrician and neither is my handyman...so I figured I'd better ask for advice to be sure.


But you are very wise to ask the question.

The handyman is not so wise, to be doing and/or giving advice on electrical work.

This is a licensed trade for a reason.

Thanks everyone,

It's a bit of a sticky situation as the handyman my wife and I use is a friend of the family. He's sort of an "old salt"... built his own house... does handyman stuff in his retirement... but I'm sure he means well.

Looks like its time to call an electrician and get a quote on putting 2 more circuits in down there.

Thanks again to all :)

Since he is a friend of the family, may be good to let him know to stick to any other work but the electrical field, or any other licensed trade, such as gas and fuel oil, things of that nature.

I am sure he means well, but will his actions keep the fire apparatus from having to park on you lawn?

I gave you a link in post #3. print it and give it to him. Ask him if he'd like to keep it for his tool bag, he needs it.

I want to change the breaker to 20 from 15... it looks like the gauge is 12 but nit sure... will this cause fire or will it trip the breaker first.