11 Jul
2005
11 Jul
'05
7:29 p.m.
NO! NO! NO! BAD ADVICE!
One should never replace a breaker with a higher rated one unless they are
sure the wiring can accomodate the increased amperage. A 15A breaker
requires 14 guage wire. A 20A breaker requires 12 guage wire. Putting a
20A breaker on 14 guage wire is flirting with disaster.
I would not call it "flirting with disaster", but it is not a good
idea. The chances of a fire breaking out under this circumstance is damn
small, but it is there.
On the flip side, many homes are wired with 12 anyway, so the
replacement breakers are OK. Some codes require 12 wire for everyday
household circuits.
William Donzelli
aw288 at osfn.org