15 amp circuit to a 20 amp

[micrometer]

My living room runs on a 15 amp breaker. Occasionally There's too much current and the breaker trips as normal.

I would like to change it to a 20 amp breaker. I assume that it's wired in 14 gauge. To be safe would the wiring need to changed to 12 gauge?

Are there any other alternatives to upgrading to a 20 amp breaker?

Thanks for any insight,
Mike

 

[mike93lx]

Wiring must be changed.

Put some of the load on another circuit, if possible.

What are you running?

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

20 amp circuits need #12 wire……… My big question is what current is being drawn on the circuit that is making it trip.
There are ways to "re-configure/re-feed" the circuit without rewiring the entire house……. My suggestion is to call a pro.

 

[dscheidt]

If you have a big load that's the problem (space heater, AC, plasma cutter, giant stereo, whatever), you can pull another circuit just for it.

 

[mm08822]

Split the circuit in to two from the basement or attic if it is just an accumulation of small loads.

If it happens to be a single large load with misc smaller loads, just add a new receptacle on a new circuit where this big load is located.

 

[The Cobbler]

as others said already. identify what is drawing on the heavy load and run a new circuit to that .
My house originally had only 4 circuits not including the stove . 1 was for a sump pump from years ago so the house operated on 3 15 amp circuits . it had a 40 amp service . it was updated to 100 amp in the mid 80's and a dryer circuit was added as well as some minimal changes .
over the years I have added several circuits and spilt some of the original circuits and added new circuit s for various items like fridges & freezer . it' s still far from ideal , but it serves my needs fine. I was always going to re wire the house but as time goes on, that will probably be some one else's project

 

[75gmck25]

It would be helpful to know the age of the house and the amperage of the main panel. It has changed a lot over the years.

My 1940 house was originally wired for 5 or 6 120 volt fused circuits, and later expanded to have 7 circuits and an early Square-D split bus panel. Apparently to save wire, the original circuits were wired so they made a vertical path up through the house.

For example - First a 15 amp circuit with a light or two in the basement, then up to a few receptacles in the family room, then to an outside porch light, and finally up to a couple receptacles and a ceiling light in the MBR on the 2nd floor. This meant that tripping the breaker in an upstairs room when my wife used a 1500 watt blow drier would also take out electricity on multiple other floors. After identifying what load had tripped the breaker I was able to add a couple new 20 amp circuits that resolved the issues.

 

[Shiftless]

If you have a big load that's the problem (space heater, AC, PLASMA CUTTER, giant stereo, whatever), you can pull another circuit just for it.

I saw that… Funny…
Very few of us even ********* GJ’ers try to run their plasma cutter in the living room on a 15 amp circuit.

 

[mm08822]

I saw that… Funny…
Very few of us even ********* GJ’ers try to run their plasma cutter in the living room on a 15 amp circuit.

Welding next to the motorcycle in living room is too tight especially when changing oil.
Move into the Dining room. It should already have 20a circuits in it.

 

[Shiftless]

Welding next motorcycle in living room is too tight especially when changing oil.
Move into the Dining room. It should already have 20a circuits in it.

Seriously, this story is true.
Back in the ‘80s, a friend and real estate investor once owned a classic brown shingle house in Berkeley. He rented it to a seemingly nice couple who later turned out to be a front for a group of men and women who were into motorcycles. He evicted them after among other things, it became evident that they had rebuilt a Harley engine in the dining room and left black oil stains on the original oak flooring.

 

[dscheidt]

Seriously, this story is true.
Back in the ‘80s, a friend and real estate investor once owned a classic brown shingle house in Berkeley. He rented it to a seemingly nice couple who later turned out to be a front for a group of men and women who were into motorcycles. He evicted them after among other things, it became evident that they had rebuilt a Harley engine in the dining room and left black oil stains on the original oak flooring.

I rebuilt an engine, transmission, and transfer case in the living room of my apartment. I put down a sheet of vinyl floor first, though. I'm not a heathen.

 

[nadogail]

Increasing the size of the breaker protecting 14 gauge wire to from 15 Amps to 20 Amps is prohibited.

 

[mm08822]

Seriously, this story is true.
Back in the ‘80s, a friend and real estate investor once owned a classic brown shingle house in Berkeley. He rented it to a seemingly nice couple who later turned out to be a front for a group of men and women who were into motorcycles. He evicted them after among other things, it became evident that they had rebuilt a Harley engine in the dining room and left black oil stains on the original oak flooring.

No doubt.......A landlord's nightmare = crappy tenants.

 

[NUTTSGT]

This is the time of year when these issues show themselves with too small wire and too big of a breaker.

Usually, it's the added electric heater to supplement whole house heat causes the issue. It's not a 10-15 blast of extra amps, it's the continuous amp draw for days on end.. areas like the top plate where 2 wires run through a small hole builds heat. Couple it with the "great" cellulose insulation that wiring will cause to smolder and retain heat that leads to those pesky house fires.

 

[micrometer]

Wiring must be changed.

Put some of the load on another circuit, if possible.

What are you running?

I have a 55" monitor, 110 watt stereo receiver, 4 lights, coffee maker...

 

[BillK]

I have a 55" monitor, 110 watt stereo receiver, 4 lights, coffee maker...

The monitor and receiver should be negligible. How many amps does the coffee maker draw ? Move it to the kitchen ? What kind of lights ?

 

[micrometer]

The monitor and receiver should be negligible. How many amps does the coffee maker draw ? Move it to the kitchen ? What kind of lights ?

Coffee maker (Bunn) draws 13.3 amps and is in the kitchen whose particular receptacle shares with the living room. Lights are ordinary lamps with LED bulbs.

 

[The Cobbler]

it is possible you have a weak breaker .

 

[micrometer]

it is possible you have a weak breaker .

Is there any to test the breaker? I have a DMM.

 

[mike93lx]

Coffee maker (Bunn) draws 13.3 amps and is in the kitchen whose particular receptacle shares with the living room. Lights are ordinary lamps with LED bulbs.

You sure about that? 1600w for a coffee maker is a lot.

I'd start with a new coffee pot

 

[micrometer]

You sure about that? 1600w for a coffee maker is a lot.

I'd start with a new coffee pot

This coffee maker is commercial grade and we're keeping it (maybe move it to another kitchen receptacle off the living room circuit). My island has a receptacle (that shares the living room circuit) that trips the breaker when all other draws are running (it's the last straw that trips the breaker). I think my best option is to find another circuit for this receptacle.

 

[BillK]

If the coffee maker is drawing 13.3 amps then you are definite pushing the limit. The monitor is probably an amp as is the receiver. Add the lights and you are over the top. Smaller coffee maker maybe if you must have one ? Only choice I see is to add a circuit. Easy to say, probably not that easy to do unless you have an open basement or easy access attic.

 

[The Cobbler]

Is there any to test the breaker? I have a DMM.

not that I'm aware of. but at the volunteer warehouse we changed the water heater to a larger one with a slightly higher wattage heater . every few days the breaker would blow. confirmed the draw on the heater, within spec ( 1440 watts) replaced the breaker & all was good.

 

[mike93lx]

If the coffee maker is drawing 13.3 amps then you are definite pushing the limit. The monitor is probably an amp as is the receiver. Add the lights and you are over the top. Smaller coffee maker maybe if you must have one ? Only choice I see is to add a circuit. Easy to say, probably not that easy to do unless you have an open basement or easy access attic.

You need a 20a circuit. Easy easy.

 

[dscheidt]

Is there any to test the breaker? I have a DMM.

Swap it with a different one, or just replace it.

 

[Jack Ryan]

Coffee maker (Bunn) draws 13.3 amps and is in the kitchen whose particular receptacle shares with the living room. Lights are ordinary lamps with LED bulbs.

What else in the kitchen shares that circuit? Any other rooms sharing?

Jack

 

[knobby]

I would be tempted to check for hot plugs and take a look at all plugs on the affected circuit.
Look the the prongs on the plugs for scorched marks or discoloration from oxidation and such.
Even a loose receptacle can cause these kind of issues.
Its worthwhile to swap out those 49 cent residential grade duplex receptacles for the $3 spec grade ones for peace of mind IMO.

 

[PCustoms]

What else in the kitchen shares that circuit? Any other rooms sharing?

Jack

I have a 55" monitor, 110 watt stereo receiver, 4 lights, coffee maker...

 

[mm08822]

A 13.3a load on a 15a circuit leaves only 1.7a for all of the misc stuff plugged in. All is working as expected. No surprise or concern.

Move the coffee maker to the small appliance branch circuit in kitchen/dining room or add a circuit for it in the living room.

Since it needs to be fed water, wouldn't it be just as easy to move it closer to the kitchen faucet?

 

[Jack Ryan]

PCustoms

I asked what else in the kitchen.

Jack

 

[engineer2]

The Bunn coffee makers I'm familiar with keep a tank of water hot 24/7 so they are ready to brew quickly at any time. Nice units until the immersion heater burns out from continuous use.
Sounds like you need to update wiring to current code. Two separate 20 amp circuits for kitchen outlets in an A-B-A-B arrangement. If your house has EMT, not too hard unless you have to install new J-boxes or rip out wall tile. If it has Romex, it's more work.

 

[micrometer]

PCustoms

I asked what else in the kitchen.

Jack

The kitchen has the normal appliances and that circuit has never tripped. I'm thinking of moving the coffee maker to another non-iiving room circuit or as advised get it on a new circuit.

 

[micrometer]

I'm grateful for all the good advice I'm receiving. I'm learning much.

Thanks to all of you,
Mike

 

[Jack Ryan]

The kitchen has the normal appliances and that circuit has never tripped. I'm thinking of moving the coffee maker to another non-iiving room circuit or as advised get it on a new circuit.

But the kitchen shares a circuit with the dining room. Are you sure only one GPO (and appliance) in the kitchen is connected to the dining room CB?

Jack

 

[micrometer]

But the kitchen shares a circuit with the dining room. Are you sure only one GPO (and appliance) in the kitchen is connected to the dining room CB?

Jack

The kitchen is on a different circuit from the living room. At least that's the way I traced it back to the panel when I was labeling it.

 

[mm08822]

The kitchen is on a different circuit from the living room. At least that's the way I traced it back to the panel when I was labeling it.

Your post #17 reads differently to me.

 

[micrometer]

Your post #17 reads differently to me.

My island that has the gas range and a receptacle and the coffee maker are both in the kitchen but share with the living room circuit. That's the way my house was when I bought in 2007.

 

[mm08822]

My island that has the gas range and a receptacle and the coffee maker are both in the kitchen but share with the living room circuit.

Living room should not be on that small appliance circuit.

 

[micrometer]

Living room should not be on that small appliance circuit.

Shame on the electrician who wired it that way. I have enough advise to be able to at least have my alternatives in front of me. I'm thankful for that.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

the small appliance branch circuits in the kitchen should not have anything else on it except kitchen circuits.

how long ago did this "electrician" wire this?