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donsanmm · Jul 31, 2009, 04:29 PM

I have 15 amp service currently installed that runs directly from the meter box to my art studio. I recently added a new 1200 watt window A/C unit that struggles to kick on when I have my radio/lights/computor running. I would like to change this service to 20 amp. Is this something I can do without calling in an electrition? I know how to change a breaker in my house panel but this is the main box that serves both the house and the studio.

Any help will be apprciated.

Thanks

twinkiedooter · Jul 31, 2009, 04:55 PM

Seeing as you don't know what particular gauge wire is going to that outlet where you have your a/c plugged into, just changing the circuit to a higher one may result in you burning your house to the ground.

Is it worth the call to an electrician to have your home wired up properly or are you going to dabble in electricity not really knowing what you are doing?

You may successfully overload your wiring to your studio. Your wiring may be aged as well and just changing the breaker to a 20 amp may result in an unfortunate accident/fire.

May I suggest that you run a completely brand new wire exclusively for your new a/c instead of changing out the 15 amp for a 20 amp.

donsanmm · Jul 31, 2009, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by twinkiedooter

Seeing as you don't know what particular guage wire is going to that outlet where you have your a/c plugged into, just changing the circuit to a higher one may result in you burning your house to the ground.

Is it worth the call to an electrician to have your home wired up properly or are you going to dabble in electricity not really knowing what you are doing?

You may successfully overload your wiring to your studio. Your wiring may be aged as well and just changing the breaker to a 20 amp may result in an unfortunate accident/fire.

May I suggest that you run a completely brand new wire exclusively for your new a/c instead of changing out the 15 amp for a 20 amp.

New 12 gauge buried in conduit 3 years ago. New 14 gauge run from 2 breaker panel to outlets, same time. If I change to 20 amp at meter, I can dedicate one breaker to A/C. I let installing electrician talk me into 15 amp because I wasn't going to be running power tools in this building.

hkstroud · Jul 31, 2009, 08:28 PM

A little confused here.
You have a panel installed at you meter base that is not a subpanel of your main panel. You have only one breaker in that panel and it is 20 amps. You have 12 gauge wires in the conduit to a subpanel in your art studio. There you have two 15 amp breakers and 14 gauge wire.
An "electrician" talked you down in the size of this service. Is all of this correct?

Is there a main breaker in the panel at the meter base?

Do you know how many amps this panel is rated for?

How many breaker spaces are in the panel (at meter base)?

What size it the conduit to your studio?

What type of wire is in the conduit to your studio.

How many amps does your A/C require?

donsanmm · Aug 1, 2009, 07:31 AM

Originally Posted by hkstroud

A little confused here.
You have a panel installed at you meter base that is not a subpanel of your main panel. You have only one breaker in that panel and it is 20 amps. You have 12 gauge wires in the conduit to a subpanel in your art studio. There you have two 15 amp breakers and 14 gauge wire.
An "electrician" talked you down in the size of this service. Is all of this correct?

Is there a main breaker in the panel at the meter base?

Do you know how many amps this panel is rated for?

How many breaker spaces are in the panel (at meter base)?

What size it the conduit to your studio?

What type of wire is in the conduit to your studio.

How many amps does your A/C require?

The meter box is 200 amp service part of which goes to the house. A separate 15 amp breaker goes to the studio - 12 gauge buried in conduit romex. In the studio is a sub panel with slots for two breakers -- one slot currently has a 15 amp breaker. I want to change the 15 amp breaker in the main panel at the meter box to 20 amps then put 2 15 amp breakers in the subpanel in the studio dedicating one to a 1200 watt A/C. The other would be for a 80 watt cfl, my computer and a radio or TV.

My question: How do I, an amateur, change the breaker in the main panel?

Thanks

hkstroud · Aug 1, 2009, 08:08 AM

It's the part about the 15 amp breaker at the meter box that giving me problems. Do you have a breaker box that is an intergal part of the meter box? Is so, you would change the breaker just like you would in the main panel. However, unless you have a main breaker or disconect in that box you will be working with live parts.

Can you post a pic of the meter and box?

Conduit is either metal or PVC piping. Underground is considered a wet location and romex cable is not approved.

donsanmm · Aug 1, 2009, 11:03 PM

Originally Posted by hkstroud

It's the part about the 15 amp breaker at the meter box that giving me problems. Do you have a breaker box that is an intergal part of the meter box? Is so, you would change the breaker just like you would in the main panel. However, unless you have a main breaker or disconect in that box you will be working with live parts.

Can you post a pic of the meter and box?

Conduit is either metal or PVC piping. Underground is considered a wet location and romex cable is not approved.

No way to post a picture but there is a main breaker in the box so we won't have to work with live wires.

The romex is in PVC conduit.

Thanks

stanfortyman · Aug 2, 2009, 05:06 AM

It sounds like you have a meter/main combo. Is there space for a couple of breakers at the meter? I bet there is.

IF, and only IF you can confirm that there is #12 from the main all the way to the studio panel then yes, you can change the 15 to a 20.

Originally Posted by donsanmm

My question: How do I, an amature, change the breaker in the main panel?

You simply turn off the main breaker, remove the 15 and install a 20 in it's place.
Is there more to the question that I am not seeing?

hkstroud · Aug 2, 2009, 05:10 AM

Ok. If you have 12 gauge wire to the studio, Turn off the main breaker, remove the cover and change the breaker to a 20 amp. Take breaker to hardware store, get same brand and model number. Generally breakers are plugged in. Remove by turning off and pushing on the handle toward the outer edge of the box.

donsanmm · Aug 2, 2009, 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by stanfortyman

It sounds like you have a meter/main combo. Is there space for a couple of breakers at the meter? I bet there is.

IF, and only IF you can confirm that there is #12 from the main all the way to the studio panel then yes, you can change the 15 to a 20.

You simply turn off the main breaker, remove the 15 and install a 20 in it's place.
Is there more to the question that I am not seeing?

Definitely #12 and no, there is nothing more to the question.

Thanks for you help

donsanmm · Aug 2, 2009, 09:45 PM

Originally Posted by hkstroud

Ok. If you have 12 gauge wire to the studio, Turn off the main breaker, remove the cover and change the breaker to a 20 amp. Take breaker to hardware store, get same brand and model number. Generally breakers are plugged in. Remove by turning off and pushing on the handle toward the outer edge of the box.

Thank you very much for your helpful advice.

medic-dan · Aug 26, 2009, 01:39 PM

I know I'm chiming in late but I have a question on your installation.

You say there is A 15 amp breaker at the 200 amp panel. Not a double breaker, a single breaker?

You want to add another breaker to the art studio panel dedicated for the a/c outlet?

If it is only a single breaker at the main panel you can not add the other breaker. You'll overload the wiring.

You need 220 volts at the art studio panel to do what you want. If the electrician wired it correctly, you'll be doing what is called multi-wire. Two circuits share a common neutral. This would be good for 2 20 amp circuits with your 12 gauge feed. Each circuit is only 120 volts.

With only 1 breaker at the main panel and 120 volts at the art studio panel, you'll overload the wiring in the conduit.

Did I misunderstand your post?