I am changing a 30 amp outlet and circuit breaker to a 20 amp. I am installing a new air conditioner that is rated for 20 amps. My old air conditioner is a 30 amp. I am running it through AWG 10 wire. To "make ready" for my new A/C, I believe I have to change both the receptacle to match the plug type (20 amp) and the circuit breaker to 20 amp. Is this correct? I think the existing AWG 10 wire can stay? Will it fit into the 20 amp receptacle and breaker?
Hi Mike
Yes, the wire can stay. The bigger the wire, the less electricity you waste in line drop. And yes, you can squish it into the 20 Amp breaker and the 20 Amp outlet. Just make sure you turn the breaker off beforehand, unless you want to do an impromptu rain dance.
Have FUN!
DearWebby
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Hey Mike,
If you wanted too,You could leave the 30 amp breaker and the 30 amp recepticle and just change the plug end on the ac.This will save you alot of time and trouble,Especially in the breaker panel.
Bob
Hey Mike,
If you wanted to save yourself some time and trouble.You could,keep the 30 amp breaker and recepticle.You would just have to change the plug end on the ac.
Electricians have told me it's better to have more amerage than you need. Like others have suggested, just change the plug. Save yourself some trouble and time. You could change either the plug on the end of the a/c or install a different outlet that matches the plug's configeration.
i have an old window a/c plug in with power in my living room its on a 30 amp breaker can i leave the wire and breaker and run a 110 outlet off of the same wire and breaker
is this possible?
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
About a month ago we had Denver weather while we were on vacation and upon returning one section of the kitchen had five outlets that won't work. I replaced a beaker that was damaged during the storm. I installed the new one and turned the main power on the circuit breaker pane. That same breaker keeps tripping. It is a 20 amp and from my reasearch it should be able to handle five outlets. It did before the storm.
Please help!
Thank you,
Here are some main causes:
-Overloaded Circuit
-Short Circuit
-Ground Fault
For more details on how to check, go to:
georgebrazilplumbingelectrical.com/
If you had a storm, did the wiring get wet? That could cause tripping.
Do you have ground fault outlets in the kitchen (in my area, you have to by code) See if one of them is tripped. (they have their own breaker inside them, with a reset button on the outside of the outlet).
I have a a question about installing a bigger amp circuit breaker. During Christmas, after putting the lights up the C/B keeps tripping after 15 minutes. I heard that I could put a bigger amp C/B in, I think they are all 15 amp breakers now, how big can or should I go?
I wish I new I'm looking to add a new circuit to handle all my lights.(christmas that is.)
Dude- Circuit breakers are sized upon the wire size. If you replace a 15 with a 20, your'e reducing the safety margin engineered into the Code.
Conrad,
Breakers are sized for the wire, not the "end user". If you have all 15A breakers, chances are you have #14 wire. You can only go up in size on a breaker if you increase the size of the wiring.
Install a dedicated outlet for your lights ( 30 amp breakerwith proper sized wire).
I installed a new 20 amp breaker and hooked wires to it, ground, black and white. I put it in the breaker box and flipped the switch and it trips the breaker. The other end of the wire is hooked to nothing. I am obviously doing something wrong in the breaker box. Any help will be appreciated.
By Brian K
Black to breaker white common to panel ground same as bare copper wire to ground in panel box
There is a tutorial with pictures here. www.thespruce.com/
There is a tutorial with pictures here. www.thespruce.com/
I have a double wide trailer. On the pole outside I have a breaker with a double 60 amp breaker that is hooked up to everything in the trailer. I would like to know if there is any way to put a bigger breaker in there like 100 amp or maybe even 120 amp? Please someone help me.
That box looks old and not so safe. I would suggest that you get the entire box replaced and new wires added to this. Electric fires are more common in trailers.
I bought a 20 amp 115 volt welder for the garage. The circuit breaker in the main box is a 15 double pull breaker. Can I put a 20 amp double pull breaker in its place without running new wires?
By Jeff
Bruce S. is the only one on this site that can answer your question. Where are you, Bruce?
Can you replace two single 20 amp breakers with a double 60 amp breaker?
By Chris
It would not be safe to do so. The 20 amp breaker can protect a #12 AWG or larger wire. Replacing with a 60 amp double pole breaker would allow too much current to flow on the wires (presumably #12 AWG) and could lead to overheating and even fire.
