I'm new to wiring, don't profess to be an expert, learned how to do it through reading books, and admit I need some help.

I'm currently finishing my basement and just finished up adding two 15-amp circuits for lights and receptacles. Part of my longer range goal is to add a sauna. The kits I'm looking at have heaters rated at 20 amps. What I'm wondering is what would be the net effect of adding the sauna with the 20 amp heater on my 15 amp circuits? Is it a fire risk in that I'd be drawing too much over this circuit (wiring is 14-2)? Or is it a case where it simply won't work? Or would the circuit breaker trip when trying to draw the 20 amps?

I've got time and sufficient wall/ceiling access to run another circuit, but I'm wondering if I truly need to...

Thanks.

The 15 amp breaker will trip if loaded more than it can handle. The reason it will trip is to prevent the wire from overheating and becoming a fire hazard.

Just to be clear, something to look at, to be sure, you state the heaters are rated at 20 amps. Is that the size circuit that it needs, or is that the actual load? If that is circuit size as per the instructions, then a 20 amp breaker with #12 wire will be fine.

If the 20 amps is the actual load, then a 20 amp circuit is not enough, and most likeley a 30 amp circuit with #10 wire will be needed.

Branch circuit wire size is to be 125% of the actual load.

So just somethng to be aware of.