Hello everyone,

We are having a few issues were our circuit breaker trips when we turn on the microwave. After the circuit breaker tripped we noticed that the power is shared from our small kitchen area to another office and a computer with a desk. The following are the equipments that are being powered by this single 20A breaker:

• Fridge

• Microwave

• Coffee Machine

• Computers (4 in all)

• Sound System

• DSL

• Switch

• Wireless Router

• Cat 5 Router

• Ethernet Printer

• Fax Machine

• Phone

Now, a re-arrangement of electronics is not possible, and it seems like we keep adding more equipment as we keep growing. We have a 20A breaker supplying power to all of these equipments using a #12 wire. I'm familiar with smaller electrical things, but not breakers. Can I replace that 20A with a 30A breaker and avoid causing a fire? Any ideas or further questions are welcomed.

Thanks,

Ed

I am not an electrician by any means... but I suggest that you run a dedicated breaker to your refrigerator... minimum. I know that in Massachusetts all new kitchens today are required to have a dedicated breaker to the refrigerator, a dedicated breaker for the microwave, a dedicated breaker for the dishwasher, and even a dedicated breaker for the disposal, and a dedicated circuit to the receptacles around the counter... so seems to me that you could pretty easily run a new #12 wire to the fridge and that would help you out tremendously.

I believe it is unsafe to upgrade from a 20 amp to a 30 amp... so good that you are asking this question instead of just doing it!!

Let a licensed electrician tell you what he thinks, of course. Damn plumbers ( ;) ) always puttin' their noses where they don't belong!!

Massplumber is correct. The Very Least have the refrigerator on its own, 3 circuits would be better.
Frige, Micro, and Coffee Maker are High Current. If you avoid Micro and coffee on at the same time will help.
Overloading is dangerous, and low voltage is not good for equipment.

All that Massplumber2008 and Stratmando have said is correct. You certianly need to upgrade you electrical service to that area with additional circuits.

But to answer you question directly and emphatically.
Under no circumstance can you put a 30 amp breaker on #12 wire.