Space heater that won't trip office breaker?

Question

I have been using a 1500 watt space heater in my office because it's freezing in my building. Recently, it's started to cause the power to go out in my office and ones adjacent to mine on the same circuit. There is no where else to plug in that will be on a less-used circuit. Is there a certain space heater I can buy that won't trip the circuit breaker all the time? (I've heard that the oil ones use less electricity?) Or is there a power-strip I can plug it into that will trip instead of bothering this whole side of the building by allowing the whole circuit breaker to trip? What can I do? I'm freezing!!!

Answer 1

If your office shares a single circuit with adjacent
offices there's not much you can do.
1500W. is almost all the power a single receptacle
circuit can deliver.
Try running your hair dryer at the 800W. setting.

Answer 2

The breaker trips because the total load exceeds the rating of the breaker. In other words, you are drawing more than 15 amps on that circuit at the same time. I can think of three reasons: 1- there is something else on the circuit that was not there before. Keep in mind that one breaker can control several outlets (and lights) and these may not be near each other. To find out, trip the breaker on purpose and see if other appliances turn off. Fridges can draw a lot of current when they first turn on. 2- Your heater is worn out and is drawing more current. This cannot be fixed and you will need a new one. 3- The outlet has deteriorated (not common but I have seen it) and is resistive. To check, trip the breaker and remove the outlet from the box. Check for discoloration, burned or blackened plastic around the wires and loose screws (the screws that attach the wires to the outlet. If it looks sad, get a new one for about $2 and you are all set.