I have a question about my circuit breakers. My house wiring looks like it's all 12 gauge, and I recently noticed a breaker that trips frequently, which I suspect is due to my treadmill's heavy load. The HVAC installation left me with some spare 20 amp breakers. Can I just switch out the 15 amp breaker for a 20 amp one? Are there any specific regulations or specs I should be aware of since both breakers came from the same box?
3 Answers
It's crucial to confirm that the wires leading to that breaker are genuinely 12 gauge, not just what they look like. Just because they *appear* to be doesn’t guarantee safety. Make sure you check all the wires on that circuit as well to ensure there's no ambiguity.
Honestly, it's baffling why someone would use 12 gauge wire and only put in 15 amp breakers. Usually, that combo is more trouble than it's worth. You might want to reevaluate your setup or consult an electrician.
Also, what treadmill do you have that needs a 20 amp draw? If it trips a 15 amp breaker now, switching to a 20 amp won’t solve the problem—your treadmill might have issues. Plus, if you have arc fault breakers in the mix, tripping might not even be due to overload.