A circuit breaker is an important component for our electrical power system that avoids overloading and short circuit conditions in the circuit and avoids chances of fires. The 15 amp breaker is also an important breaker that is part of the circuit for handling proper working of loads. Here we will get the features and working applications of a 15 amp breaker. So let’s get started with what 15 amp breakers are used for.
What is a 15 Amp Breaker?
- The 15 amp breaker is an overcurrent protection device designed to shut off current flow in a circuit automatically and save the circuit from wire in the result of overheating.
- 15 amps is the tripping rating of the breaker. In simple words, the breaker breaks the circuit if the current flowing in the circuit exceeds the limit value of 15 amps.
15 Amp Breaker Working
- The 15 amp breaker operated through the connection between the incoming and outgoing connections of the circuit.
- If high current flows in the circuit, the metal strip gets heated and bends and releases tension for the spring-loaded process that opens contacts. As a result, it powers off and avoids overheating conditions.
- The breaker also manually switched to the normal position for restoring power after removing the fault.
- There is an automatic reset function for a 15 amp breaker that helps to cool down and make a normal flow of power without any manual operation.
15 Amp Breaker Features
- The main features for 15-amp breakers are as follows.
- The voltage rating for the breaker is 120 to 240 volts, and the tripping current is 15 amps.
- The one-pole 15-amp breaker comes with a 120V hot wire, and a two-pole has 240 volts and two hot wires.
- The terminals of the breaker have compatibility with screw terminals or push-in connectors.
- The mounting configuration for the breaker is a snap-in mounted to a breaker panel enclosure.
15 Amp Circuit Breaker vs. 20 Amp Circuit Breaker
15 Amp Circuit Breaker
- The 15 amp breaker is used for small loads such as lights and an alarm clock. The breaker capacity is 1800 watts, but according to the National Electric Code, it is defined to put the load of 80 percent of the total capacity.
- That is 12 amps or 1400 watts. In a 15 amp circuit, 14-gauge wire.
20 Amp Circuit Breaker
- The 20 amp breaker is used for a higher current flow circuit than 15 amps, and it uses 12 gauge wire.
- These breakers are part of the kitchen, bathroom, garage, and dining room. Different devices such as ACs, coffee machines, dryers, and devices that use high energy also use this breaker to avoid electrical overload.
How can you check if the circuit is 15 amps or 20 amps?
- If you needed to change or connect a receptacle, then you must know the connected circuit’s rating, either 14 or 20 amps.
- For that, check the rating of connected outlets. On the left part of the outlet, you can see a neutral vertical slot, and the right side has a short slot that is a live wire and a downside ground in an oval shape. It is a 15-amp circuit, and if the left vertical slot comes with more horizontal slots, it shows the circuit is a 20-amp circuit.
15 Amp Breakers uses
- It is used for residential light circuits and general-purpose outlets.
- It is also part of small devices that use less current, like fans, toasters, and lamps.
- It is used for residential outlets like living rooms and bedrooms.
20 Amp Breakers
- It is used for circuits that provide power to microwaves, refrigerators, dishwashers, and washing machines.
- It is used for high-demanding power loads like electric heaters, AC systems, and power tools.
- It is also used for commercial settings that need high power loads.
Can I Replace a 15 Amp Circuit With a 20 Amp Circuit?
- Yes, we can replace a 15 amp circuit with a 20 amp breaker, but there is a need for 12 gauge wire for a 15 amp circuit. Since 12-gauge wire is used for a 20-amp breaker, if you have 14-gauge wire not used for a 20-amp breaker with that circuit, it causes overheating.
Read more:How Many Lights on a 15 Amp Circuit
Limitations for Replacing a 15 Amp Breaker with a 20 Amp Breaker
Overheating Wires:
- The main issue is that it can cause overloading for the circuit wiring. If a circuit that has 14-gauge wire is using a 20-amp breaker, the wire gets overheated and causes a fire.
Code Compliance
- Electrical codes define accurate ratings for circuits. Upgrading the breaker without changing the wiring can violate these codes, and as a result, a compliance error occurs.
Device Damage
- The devices that connected over the overcurrent circuit caused damage due to ineffective protection from a high rating breaker not causing tripping accurately.
Personal Injury
- Improperly upgraded breaker causes a chance of fire and damage to residents.
Signs for 15 Circuit Breaker Need Replacing
If your 15-amp circuit is regularly tripping without overload or not operating well when needed. It shows that it needed to be replaced. The main causes for breaker replacement are
- Breker is providing frequent tripping also for loads less than 15 amps
- Not a breaker circuit, also for high overcurrent conditions
- Breaker causing burning smells, noises, and any damage.
- The breaker is high temperature if we touch it.
FAQs
How much load can we connect with a 15 amp breaker?
- The basic rule is that a 15 amp, 120V circuit easily handles 1800 watts of power devices and lights connected. That is for an 80 percent load value.
What wire size goes with a 15 amp breaker?
- The 15 ampere breaker uses 14 gauge copper wire for proper working, and it helps to handle amperes without chances of overheating.
Can the circuit be upgraded to a 20 amp circuit breaker for more power?
- Before that, make sure that your circuit rating has features to handle 20 amp services. The 14-gauge wire is used for a 15-amp circuit, so a 20-amp breaker cannot handle this load.
What are 15 amp breakers used for?
- The 15 amp breaker is an overcurrent protection device that is designed to shut off current flow automatically if current exceeds a limit flowing. It saves circuits from overheating or causes fire.
What does 15A mean on a breaker?
- The 15 amps define that it is a 15-amp circuit or device. Amperes are used for showing current flow. It is the amount of charge that passes through a certain point in one second.
How many lights per 15 amp breaker?
- The 15 amp circuit has features to handle 1800 watts of load. If one LED bulb is 9 watts, we can connect 200 bulbs for one 15-amp circuit.
How many volts is a 15 amp breaker?
- 120/240 volts
What is the capacity of a 15 amp breaker?
- The 15 amp breaker can operate 1K light without blowing or about 1800 to 2000 watts.
How to calculate breaker size?
- First of all, find the load connected; the load is the net current flowing by all devices of the circuit.
- Now use the 125 percent rule, based on NEC; the breaker has features to handle 125 percent of continuous load.
- Choose Nearest Standard Size.
How many things can run on a 15 amp circuit?
- Normally we can connect many outlets for the 15 amp circuit breaker as we need. But the best is that 1 outlet is for 1.5 amps, about 80 percent capacity of the breaker. So use a maximum of 8 outlets for a 15 amp circuit.
