I need to figure this out. I have two 15 amp space heaters in my garage and when I turn them both on it throws the breaker. The breaker at box for this is rated at 20amps. I have been told that I can run both on high and won't throw the breaker. I also replaced the old breaker with a new one (same brand and amps). Could you please help me with this.

Thank you

John

Are they both on the same circuit?

30A is supposed to trip a 20A breaker.

Yes they are and how do if go about to solve this problem?

Someone told you that you could use two 15A heaters on a 20A circuit?:confused:

So are these heaters cord and plug connected? 120V or 240V?

They are 120v

What is the wattage of each? Should be on the label on the unit?

Why do you need to run 2 15 amp space heaters in one garage? You will not be able to operate them both off the same circuit you will need to find or add a second circuit. This could be easy if the panel is in the garage, TK can help you at length, but are you sure you need to?

I need to figure this out. I have two 15 amp space heaters in my garage and when i turn them both on it throws the breaker. The breaker at box for this is rated at 20amps. I have been told that i can run both on high and won't throw the breaker. I also replaced the old breaker with a new one (same brand and amps). Could you please help me with this.

thank you

John

two 15 amp. Heater units = 30 amps , on a 20amp breaker will cause problems you need to run the units on separate dedicated curcuits , good luck

As ceiling fan repair brought up, how much heat do you need? Maybe some caulking and insulation would be a better investment. A much better DIY project than running new circuits.

The reason for having both heater's in my garage is to keep the room warm so my family can use it as a play room. Both heaters are on the same ciricut. Can you tell me how to put in another circuit.

The easy answer sometimes is not if? You are running puny extension cords but how long?
I don't know how many times a cheap #16-3 50 ft chines extension cord can cause an extra 10-15 amps of draw. Although theoreticaly you should have a larger breaker there should be plenty of built in "extra"

TRY NO EXTENSION CORD

the reason for having both heater's in my garage is to keep the room warm so my family can use it as a play room. both heaters are on the same ciricut. can you tell me how to put in another circuit.


I still think you are heating much of the outdoors. To add a circuit, you fit another breaker to the breaker panel and run a new cable from it to either hardwired to the heater or to a receptacle to plug it in. You need some margin so for a 15 amp heater, run 12-2 with ground from a 20 amp breaker.

And suggesting you could run two 15 amp heaters on a 20 amp circuit if you didn't use extension cords is plain silly.

They never say they are running an extension cord but always are and you know the quality most people use.. . Silly? Maybe. But line loss is a big problem. I give up! Put in another breaker. Me I would use an amp meter and measure the amp draw. Some of you experts should try it with and with out 50 ft of chinese 16 gauge extension cord you might learn something. PS 12-2 with a ground is 12-3.

@newaukumdon - There is no doubt that a 16-gauge extension cord shouldn't be used with a space heater, whether it's a quality one or a cheap one. But, "line loss" as you call it, is not going to cause "an extra 10-15 amps of draw," as you said. "Line loss" would cause less current and therefore less heating performance, but more importantly the cord could overheat.

They never say they are running an extension cord but always are

It's a vast conspiracy.

When a cord heats up it loses voltage and demands more amps.. . but I am sure everyone knows that.

You're right labman, I should have left this one alone. :rolleyes:

When a cord heats up it loses voltage and demands more amps. . .but I am sure everyone knows that.This is only true for inductive loads like motors, not resistive loads like space heaters.

We have our breaker box in the garage and it keeps tripping
It seems to control the light in the garage, the dining, kitchen and family rooms
We tried to reset but it sparked
The weird thing is that the microwave, garbage disposal, oven, light on hood over oven, refrigerator, a computer we have in the family room works - what's the problem?

Kaymel12,

Please stop and go back to the first thing TK asked you! What is the wattage that is listed on the heater labels?

At 120 VAC and 20 Amps, the maximum wattage that can be used on a 20 amp circuit is 2400 watts.

Also, each heater requires a "Constant on rating". That means that you would multiply 15 amps, by 1.25 = 18.75 amps. This is telling you that each heater is going to draw up to 18.75 amps.

What this actually means is that only 1 heater can be used on a 20 amp circuit.

My suggestion is that you call a licensed electrician and have him submit a bid to run two independent 120 VAC 20 Amp circuits to the garage. I would also strongly suggest that the bid include an electrical permit and that the electrician applies for the bid in his name.

Part of the permit process will require an inspection. If any defects are found they will have to be repaired. If your name is on the permit, you will have to make the repairs. If the electrician obtained the permit, he / she is on the hook for the repairs.

Do not mess with the main service panel if you do not know what you are doing!

Run a extension to another plug in the house turn them both on if you are on another circuit it will not trip.. and just run it off that extension cord.extension cord should be 12 gauge wire.. if you are lucky one of the plugs in the garage is on a separate ciruit.. err for you ill say separate plug I don't think you know what a ciruit is. :)

The easy answer sometimes is not if? you are running puny extension cords but how long?
I don't know how many times a cheap #16-3 50 ft chines extension cord can cause an extra 10-15 amps of draw. Although theoreticaly you should have a larger breaker there should be plenty of built in "extra"

TRY NO EXTENSION CORD

Yeah if you have a siemens or sqd you can go get a 30 amp single pole.. cost about 12 bucks but even so if you turn both heaters on at the same time you are probably going to have too much amp draw and that one will pop also... just go get a extension cord 12 gauge and run it off that..

yeah if you have a siemens or sqd you can go get a 30 amp single pole..cost about 12 bucks but even so if you turn both heaters on at the same time you are probably going to have to much amp draw and that one will pop also...just go get a extension cord 12 gauge and run it off that..

Duh had to modify this after I thought about it forget the 30 amp single pole your wire probably is only 12 gauge which I only rated for 20 amps.. so like I keep saying use a extension cord or have another circuit put in that runs off a new breaker..

They never say they are running an extension cord but always are and you know the quality most people use. . . Silly? maybe. but line loss is a big problem. I give up! put in another breaker. Me I would use an amp meter and measure the amp draw. some of you experts should try it with and with out 50 ft of chinese 16 gauge extension cord you might learn something. PS 12-2 with a ground is 12-3.

You 12 2 extension cord is 12 3 but you never say a "gound wire" is a actual wire in the world of romex.your going to go make this man pick up 12 3 romex and confuse him with too many wires.. that he does not need... 122wg romex or 12 3 extension cord is what you need..

You're right labman, I should have left this one alone. :rolleyes:
This is only true for inductive loads like motors, not resistive loads like space heaters.

Amp draw is amp draw this thing still suck a lot more amps when they start up just like a motor they spike in amp draw and then when reach a desired temp the trim back off to a running amperage..

What in Heaven's name is going on here? This post qualifies as moronic for all the garbage responses. <deleted cheap shot>

2heater - I understand your concerns, you have been given a bucket full of swamp gas.

Let's go back to the environment you have. As I understand it you have two heaters that each draw 15 Amps connected to one 20 Amp independent (or dedicated circuit)

Your situation is that the breaker trips every time both heaters are turned on simultaneously, correct?

The area you are trying to heat is a garage so that your family can use this area as a playroom during the winter.

Labman very correctly pointed out to you the step one would be to insulate the garage to keep the heat in, very good decision.

As to the electrical problems.

A heater is defined as a "Constant power or Continuous On" device. As such, the Amperage available for this device must be 125% of the listed Amperage.

15 X 1.25 = 18.75 amps, NOT 15 AMPS. So each heater should be attached to its own 20 amp circuit, not joined on the same circuit.

Each 20 Amp circuit will require a 20 amp SPST Breaker. 12/2 NM cable and each should have a 20 amp receptacle installed in the wall where it is needed.

Just taking an extension cord and plugging it into another outlet buys you nothing unless that receptacle is on a 20 amp circuit, which it seems no one bothered to tell you!

Do you have any 20 receptacles installed in your residence? Yes youi do. <The two small appliance circuits in the kitchen should be 20 Amp according to current NEC Code.> Edited additional information

Calling cable Romex is like calling tissue paper Kleenex. Romex was a company product name for Non Metallic Cable.

12/2 cable is defined as two insulated conductor cable with a bare ground. The conductors are colored Black (Phase) and White (Neutral or Return).

12/3 is defined as three insulated conductors. Black (Phase) - Red (Phase) and White (Neutral) and an bare copper ground wire.

The 12 Is the AWG (Which stands for American Wire Gauge) 12 AWG is listed for no higher than 20 amps.

14 AWG is listed for no higher than 15 amps.

For example using a 14 AWG cable on a 20 Amp circuit may create a fire condition for you.

Please let me hear back from you so we can actually help you.