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-   -   How much is too much for a 15amp breaker (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=324508)

  • Mar 3, 2009, 02:03 PM
    jimmysdaman
    How much is too much for a 15amp breaker
    Hello,
    I am finishing off my bonus room, I am also adding a wet bar.
    My question is... Shouldn't a 15amp breaker be OK to run a 52 in TV, dvd player,receiver,and surround sound, 6 recessed light, a fan and the mini frige. along with the occasional table lamp? I know that seems like a lot but It will not all be on at the same time either. I am mainly concerned that the mini frige might be too much. Thanks in advanve for the help JL
  • Mar 3, 2009, 02:06 PM
    ballengerb1

    Each of those fixture will tell you the amperage draw. Add all that up and tell us what you have. A mini frig doesn't tell us as much as you might think, older ones draw quite a bit.
  • Mar 3, 2009, 02:30 PM
    cdoggy

    It also depends on what lights and their power draw.

    Is the wiring rated for 15 amps or just the breaker? If the wiring is good for 20 amps I would say bump up the breaker to 20.

    What kind of TV, plasma, LCD?

    Chances are the receiver will not use that much power when being used, dependent on what model I would rate it at about ~300 watts.

    Dvd player, maybe 30 watts tops
    Receiver maybe 300 watts

    Define fan.

    Basically just look at everything and add up how many watts each device will use, then divide by 120 to get amps and go with it.
  • Mar 3, 2009, 03:47 PM
    stanfortyman
    What you have should be fine on that circuit. It is unlikely that everything will be on full blast for any noticeable amount of time. Even if it were it is doubtful that it will be 15 amps.

    15 amps is 1800 watts.
    All numbers approx as doggy correctly gave:

    TV - ~300w
    Receiver - ~250w
    DVD - ~50w
    Ceiling fan - 100w
    Fridge - ~400w
    Lights - ~390w

    All this is only 1490 watts. Even if I am off by 20% that brings you right to 1800 watts.
  • Mar 3, 2009, 04:13 PM
    ballengerb1

    I think I'm in agreement but still waiting to hear about that frig and what jimmy totals up for us.
  • Mar 3, 2009, 05:27 PM
    stanfortyman
    Unless the thing is super old I can't see it drawing much more than 3-4 amps.
  • Mar 6, 2009, 11:37 PM
    thejetzer
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by stanfortyman View Post
    What you have should be fine on that circuit. It is unlikely that everything will be on full blast for any noticeable amount of time. Even if it were it is doubtful that it will be 15 amps.

    15 amps is 1800 watts.
    All numbers approx as doggy correctly gave:

    TV - ~300w
    Receiver - ~250w
    DVD - ~50w
    Ceiling fan - 100w
    Fridge - ~400w
    Lights - ~390w

    All this is only 1490 watts. Even if I am off by 20% that brings you right to 1800 watts.

    He'll be fine with just one 15A circuit... if he plans on never vacuuming the place. If you're already doing minor construction for the room, might as well aim high.

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