Circuit Breaker Switch problem?

Question

I am having problems with a circuit breaker switch that gets tripped when I have a Vornado Heater and microwave going at the same time.The house was built back in the 1960's and i am sure the breaker is old.But if this is only a 15amp breaker can it get replaced to a 20 amp to handle the 2500 watts that is getting pushed at it when both the microwave and heater are running at the same time? Is this something that can be replaced by the average joe .I have 4 yrs of electronics back in high school,so i am not afraid to fix it myself if it can be done by myself.Any input would be greatly appreciated.Thanks

Answer 1

Your circuit is Overloaded!! DO NOT repace a 15amp breaker with a 20amp breaker!!! Even if you did, it would not work. Watts =volts x amps. 120volts x 20amps = 2400 watts. Circuits should not be loaded to 100% capacity (80% is good). 80% x 2400watts =1920watts. The National Electrical Code requires that the size of the circuit breaker be matched with the size and type of wire (NEC section 310-16). A 15amp breaker must have at least #14 copper wire, and a 20amp breaker needs a #12 copper wire. It is unsafe to install a larger breaker on the smaller wire size, and it won't work (2500w exceeds the 2400w max on a 20a breaker). The guys who told you that you need another circuit are correct. This is the best solution. The 2nd best solution is to find another (lightly loaded) circuit to plug one of these appliances into. If the old 15a breaker continues to trip after removing one of these appliance loads, it should be replaced with a new 15a breaker. You may be best advised to get some help from an experienced electrician. If you need more info, just ask, and I will try to assist you. Good Luck!!

Answer 2

First of all, it is dangerous to replace a breaker with one of a larger capacity. The breaker is designed to match the size of the wire that it protects. A larger capacity breaker would allow more amperage than the wire can safely carry.

I looked up that brand of heater. The one I looked at needs 12.5 amps. That is very close to the full capacity of your breaker. No wonder it trips so often. You could try to replace the breaker with another of the same capacity. I doubt that would help at all because I think it is not a defective breaker, but too much load on the circuit.

A better solution would be to plug the heater into a circuit that is not used by anything that also takes much power. The chance of your having that already is almost zero. That makes the only practical solution for you to run a new circuit for just the heater if you have to have it.

It is also a little unusual to need suplimental heat in a kitchen. Most already have enough because of the appliances that are there. You might look at your HVAC system to see if a damper can be opened more or there is a blockage. You did not say it was in the kitchen, so that assumption may be incorrect.

As far as a house built in the 1960s is concerned, the wiring should be fine for most purposes. Granted, they are putting a lot more circuits and capacity in now, but the old one should be adequate for most purposes.

This is especially true if you are using gas for the stove, oven, central heating and the clothes dryer. If you are using electric for those, some 1960s wiring would not be adequate, others would be. I have seen quite a variety of installations, even from that era.

Personally, I have my microwave on a circuit with two refrigerators and some other appliances. That is NOT proper, and I would not even suggest it is, but it works fine. It has worked fine for over 50 years, 30 of those years with the microwave. The book says that the microwave and each refrigerator should be on a dedicated circuit. I agree that it SHOULD be, but it works.

My wiring was done in the 1950s, long before I owned the house, and it definately is wrong. I have not bothered to fix it though because it works! It has worked fine for over 50 years.

My microwave is a very large, powerful, but inefficient older style that is well over 17 years old. If it will damage the magnatron to not have it on a dedicated circuit, why has mine lasted so long?

It is safer to go by the book, but that does not automatically mean it will fail if you don't upgrade. Each situation is a separate case.

Answer 3

Never upon never replace a circuit breaker with one of a higher amperage. The circuit breaker is rated to the size of load the wire can safely handle. Doing so will pose to be a fire risk...the overload can cause the wire to overheat and melt the insulation on it, and can cause a short and a fire.

If the circuit breaker seems to be faulty, replace it with a new 15 amp one. Changing a circuit breaker can be a do-it-yourself project, just use standard electrical safety practices.

By the sound of what you have for a load, I can see why the it might be tripping. The heater can be easily be pulling at least 10 amps or better and the microwave may be around 8 amps...unless it is a convection type which might be around 12 amps. You need the put high draw appliance such as heaters and microwaves on separate circuits.

Answer 4

NO! Putting in a 20 amp breaker will not solve your problem. Chances are you have 14 awg wire connected to your 15 amp breaker. Putting in a 20 amp breaker will take longer to trip because it can take more amps. The 14 awg wire however, can not handle that many amps and will burn. AMPS are the issue here not watts. YOU NEED TO HAVE A LICENCED ELECTRICIAN COME DO THIS FOR YOU. He will probably see how many total amps your pulling when running the heater and the microwave at the same time. If in fact you do have 14 awg wire, he will recommend unplugging the heater when you run the microwave.

Answer 5

A lot of good answers here. I just want to add that changing the breaker size is not only a VERY VERY VERY BAD IDEA, you most likely will void your home owners policy and really be out of luck after the fire!! Microwave ovens require a dedicated 20 amp circuit that consists of proper size wire along with the breaker. The circuit breaker in your home is fine, and it is doing it's job by tripping.

Answer 6

If you replace the breaker, and a larger one holds, you will find the overload by a fire in the wire. Don't go replacing breakers with larger ones until you know what AWG you have.

Answer 7

Trust me on this one,any electrician will tell you that a microwave needs a dedicated circuit or you will starve the magnetron of voltage and eventually ruin it.

Answer 8

Sounds like it is time to get the wrecking ball out and build a new house. Or, you could see if you can put it on the national register.

Answer 9

Most probably your circuit is still getting overloaded and thus the switch getting tripped...........