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    legolis27's Avatar
    legolis27 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Aug 2, 2006, 06:51 PM
    Breaker question?
    How is everyone one doing? I am new to this site seems like there a lot of good information on hear. So I own my home. I was just curious is per say I have three 15amp breakers, Can I just swap those 15amp breakers with 20 amp breakers or do I have do do some wiring. Hence need an electrician? Any help is apprecciated
    RickJ's Avatar
    RickJ Posts: 7,762, Reputation: 864
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    #2

    Aug 3, 2006, 02:24 AM
    The best answer is NO. You risk a fire hazard.

    Now, if you have 12 gauge wire from the breaker to EVERY circuit fed by it, then you're OK with a 20 amp breaker, but verifying that you have 12 gauge wire for the entirety of the circuit is next to impossible.

    If you're asking because you're tripping breakers a lot, then yes, you need to get an electrician in there to give you some options.
    wildcat6's Avatar
    wildcat6 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Nov 17, 2006, 07:50 PM
    Does anyone know if it is acceptable to use 12 ga wiring with a 15 amp breaker? I know 14 ga is supposed to be used but I was wondering if it is OK to use larger gauge. I need to add some lights in the basement and I have 12-2 NM wire and would like to us it.

    Thanks...
    andrewcocke's Avatar
    andrewcocke Posts: 439, Reputation: 22
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    #4

    Nov 17, 2006, 08:38 PM
    Yes you can use 12 ga with a 15 AMP.

    Also, if your 15 amp breaker is tripping a lot, you can pull an AMP draw on the circuit, its possible that the breaker may have gotten weak. If you replace it, you can only replace with another 15 amp breaker if you have 14 ga wire in the circuit.
    labman's Avatar
    labman Posts: 10,580, Reputation: 551
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    #5

    Nov 17, 2006, 08:42 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by wildcat6
    Does anyone know if it is acceptable to use 12 ga wiring with a 15 amp breaker? I know 14 ga is supposed to be used but I was wondering if it is ok to use larger gauge. I need to add some lights in the basement and I have 12-2 NM wire and would like to us it.

    Thanks...
    No problem, go for it. I have #10 connected to a bunch of my 20 amp breakers.
    wirepro's Avatar
    wirepro Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Nov 18, 2006, 10:37 AM
    You can always upsize on the wire,but never downsize..
    uiguy's Avatar
    uiguy Posts: 9, Reputation: 1
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    #7

    Nov 19, 2006, 09:23 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by wildcat6
    Does anyone know if it is acceptable to use 12 ga wiring with a 15 amp breaker? I know 14 ga is supposed to be used but I was wondering if it is ok to use larger gauge. I need to add some lights in the basement and I have 12-2 NM wire and would like to us it.

    Thanks...
    By "add some lights", I assume you mean running a new circuit to a new breaker. If so, go for it. Make sure the same gauge of wire is used throughout the entire circuit, and that the breaker size meets your electrical code re. the type of circuit. I do not know your electrical code, but a lighting circuit might require a 15amp breaker. I'm not sure about a mixed outlet/lighting circuit. Regardless, with respect to the wire, you're good with 12ga.
    Now if you mean extending an existing 15amp circuit to a few more junction boxes, I'd say no. If the existing wire is 14ga, and you add a stretch of 12ga wire, life is good until 5 years later someone mistakenly ups the breaker to 20amps assuming that the entire circuit is 12ga. Always assume the worst.
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