[deadpup]

so i live in a modular home built in 2000. the room in use is on a 15a breaker and its one, of the only two, 15a breakers in the whole box. everything else is 20a and higher.
my question is, can i simply switch out the 15 and replace it with a 20 and be safe ? or re wire the whole thing and put in a bigger breaker ? which would be a pain in the ass, but i prefer to play it safe.
the wireing should be the same thru out the home aside from 220 for the dryer, correct ? you would think with a newer home the wireing would be good to go, but......
please help if you know what your talking about
everybody stay safe out there

[stoney917]

depends on the wire size goin to the breaker and how many amps u plan on using out of the 20amp breaker...u never wanna max it out if ur using 12 wire go ahead and swap the breaker if its 14wire u can still swap the breakor out if ur havin issues but to use it as a 20 amo breaker that is wired with 12 in just dangerous... 14 gauge wire can handle 15amps so if u do swap breakers dont have over 15 amps of power runnin thrue it .

[Iraganji]

the wireing should be the same thru out the home aside from 220 for the dryer, correct ? you would think with a newer home the wireing would be good to go, but......
please help if you know what your talking about

stoney is correct.

In modern US homes, 15amps is what bedrooms and such get, so they'll have 14 gauge wire.
Kitchens and breaker box panels are 20amp with 12 gauge wire.

[rives]

You shouldn't pull over 80% of the rated ampacity on a circuit continuously. A 15 amp circuit is only good for 12 amps of continuous draw, and a 20 amp circuit should be held to 16 amps. 14 gauge wire is good for no more than 15 amps and 12 gauge is rated at 20. Check the receptacles and switches, too. Most receptacles are rated at 15 amps, but if they are on a 20 amp breaker they should be upgraded to the devices that are rated at 20 amps.

[deadpup]

how would a person know for sure what size wires are being used ?
does it say in the wire insulation, what gauge it is ?
also , if i need to re wire the thing and want to use a 25a breaker,what size wire should i use ?
i would rather do a little overkill on the saftey aspect
thanks you guys

[rives]

Originally Posted by deadpup

how would a person know for sure what size wires are being used ?
does it say in the wire insulation, what gauge it is ?
also , if i need to re wire the thing and want to use a 25a breaker,what size wire should i use ?
i would rather do a little overkill on the saftey aspect
thanks you guys

The wire size should be printed on the insulation of the wire every few inches, or you can use a wire gauge or dial calipers and check the size. Panel mount circuit breakers normally jump from 20 amps to 30 amps (12 gauge wire to 10 gauge), but if you could find a 25 you would still need to go to 10 gauge, because the 12 is only rated for 20 amps.

[Marquis de Sod]

Originally Posted by rives

You shouldn't pull over 80% of the rated ampacity on a circuit continuously. A 15 amp circuit is only good for 12 amps of continuous draw, and a 20 amp circuit should be held to 16 amps. 14 gauge wire is good for no more than 15 amps and 12 gauge is rated at 20. Check the receptacles and switches, too. Most receptacles are rated at 15 amps, but if they are on a 20 amp breaker they should be upgraded to the devices that are rated at 20 amps.

completely wrong because 14, 12, and 10 gauge wire have that correction already built in when they tell you that they are good for 15A, 20A and 30A respectively. (they know how fucking stupid home owners can be and it is directed at them).

leave your home alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!! i guarantee you the 15A breakers have a 14g wire in them. The next time you get your hands on an NEC look at table for ampacities at 310.16 (now 310.15), and you will notice the ampacities are way higher than what you listed. for 14, 12 and 10 ga wire you will now please notice the little asterick next to the ampacities. when you read the footnote it will give you the ampacities listed above for home use. if you are wiring a motor or something else industrial, you are allowed to use the higher ampacities listed in the table, but then you will have to derate them accordingly. peace out

in addition 15A recepts are allowed on a 20A ckt due to an exception in the codebook.

[rives]

Originally Posted by Marquis de Sod

completely wrong because 14, 12, and 10 gauge wire have that correction already built in when they tell you that they are good for 15A, 20A and 30A respectively. (they know how fucking stupid home owners can be and it is directed at them).

leave your home alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!! i guarantee you the 15A breakers have a 14g wire in them. The next time you get your hands on an NEC look at table for ampacities at 310.16 (now 310.15), and you will notice the ampacities are way higher than what you listed. for 14, 12 and 10 ga wire you will now please notice the little asterick next to the ampacities. when you read the footnote it will give you the ampacities listed above for home use. if you are wiring a motor or something else industrial, you are allowed to use the higher ampacities listed in the table, but then you will have to derate them accordingly. peace out

in addition 15A recepts are allowed on a 20A ckt due to an exception in the codebook.

My, you have been a busy little troll haven't you? Obviously your reading comprehension of the NEC is only exceeded by the composition skills evidenced in your PM to me. The 80% derate has everything to do with the circuit ampacity, which has nothing to do with the wire size. If you could get 500MCM into a 15 amp breaker, your steady state current should still be 12 amps or less. Check NEC 215.3.