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

    Nov 11, 2006, 04:48 PM
    Circuit Breaker Overload
    I have just installed Heat Tape on my roof to deal with ice damming that has started to take place on my roof (no Cold Roof and I live in Wyoming on a North Facing Slope)

    Anyway, to plug in the heat tape, I converted an old light fixture into an outlet, and hoped that my problem would be fixed. HaHa!

    The guy who put up my heat tape used so much that it requires 20 Amps, not a problem except for my outside lights and half my living room are on the same circuit breaker.

    The current circuit breaker is only 15Amps, and can not handle the load when I plug in the heat tape... obviously.

    SO here is my questions to all of you: Can I just replace the circuit breaker with a 30Amp or even a 50 Amp to handle the load? I have a feeling that the way things are wired it will not let me do that. Please tell me if I am wrong but I have a feeling that the wires in my old house can only handle so many Amps. Do I need to put another outlet coming straight from my panel if I want the heat tape to work?

    Any ideas or solutions would be fantastic!
    newaukumdon's Avatar
    newaukumdon Posts: 525, Reputation: 44
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    #2

    Nov 11, 2006, 06:10 PM
    You could replace the breaker but I think you already know what will happen FIRE!! Maybe, the wiring is based on the draw with a little extra built in but I don't think I would trust the little extra . You should rewire an outlet and because it will be an outside circuit install a GCFI device (I think it may be code) trust me a real electrician will get a hold of this thread give you far more and better advice then make it a lot more complicated before you are through.
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