Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    blanchards's Avatar
    blanchards Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jan 28, 2012, 09:04 AM
    How to change from a 15amp circuit to a 20 amp circuit
    I want to installa ceiling fan w heater and light in bathroom about it needs a 20 amp breaker. Breaker for bathroom is only 15 amps,
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #2

    Jan 28, 2012, 09:16 AM
    You don't. You run a new circuit.

    The wiring in your walls is rated for the breaker that serves it. You cannot simply put in a bigger breaker.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
    Uber Member
    		  
    #3

    Jan 28, 2012, 09:23 AM
    Can you positively identify the size of the wires? If #12, you could use a 20 amp breaker.
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #4

    Jan 28, 2012, 09:27 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Stratmando View Post
    Can you positively identify the size of the wires? if #12, you could use a 20 amp breaker.
    I didn't suggest this because he'd have to identify ALL the wiring on the circuit (highly improbable) and it would have to have been oversized from the original installation (highly unlikely). ;)
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
    Uber Member
    		  
    #5

    Jan 28, 2012, 12:25 PM
    Stan, I was thinking that as well.
    We can only use #12 minimum down here.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

15amp circuit 12 or 14 gauge wire? For elliptical [ 2 Answers ]

I just purchased a elliptical machine and they recommend for it to be on a 15-amp grounded outlet with only the elliptical plugged into the circuit. I am installing a dedicated 15-amp circuit and my question is this, should I run a 12 gauge or 14 gauge wire?

15Amp circuit breaker with Microwave - tripping [ 9 Answers ]

I have one outlet dedicated to a 15 AMP breaker in an older house( 35 years) that I have a 1000 watt microwave and a 80 watt water cooler plugged into but it keeps on tripping. I have replaced the breaker with a new one and it still trips about once a week when I start up the microwave. I am...

15amp outlet 20 amp circuit [ 2 Answers ]

Do all new 15 amp outlets have 20 amp passthrough? I wired my basement outlets with 12 gauge and put it on a 20 amp circuit and am going to use 9, 15 amp outlets. My question is. Do new outlets have 20 amp passthrough or would I be better off pig tailing all the outlets instead of hooking up...

Changed 60 amp carterige fuse but lost 15amp circuit [ 1 Answers ]

I blew a 60amp cartridge fuse I replaced it but now I lost a 15 amp circuit all fuses look OK don't know what happened... thanks

Outside GFI circuit - 15amp outlet on 20amp circuit [ 1 Answers ]

I need a better understanding of what I should do when setting up my new outdoor circuit. I've got a circuit that runs about 150 feet, so I'm installing 10g wire to allow for the voltage drop. I read in the Home Depot Electrical 123 book that I can have at most a 15amp circuit with 10g wire on...

View more questions Search