![]() ![]() Install the new circuit breaker by clipping or screwing it into place, and then link the wires to the new breaker. Depending on the breakers, circuit breakers are either clipped or screwed onto the circuit box panel casing.Ĭontactless voltmeter Step 5 fit in your new breaker Undo the screws holding the cables in position on the breaker and slide them to the side, so they are out of the way. Ensure that none of the cables carry any current using your multimeter or contactless volt-meter. Use your headlamp to provide additional lighting for this step, mainly if the breaker box panel is located in a dark area. If you confirm the suitable wire size, you can use the new 20-Amp breaker to manage the circuit load.Ĭheck the 14-gauge wire from Amazon. On the outside wire sheathing, you can see the gauge wires that have been used. The 14-gauge wire is 0.06 inches thick, whereas the 12-gauge wire is 0.08 inches thick if you’re unsure how to identify the difference between the two-wire gauges. ![]() Installing a 20-amp circuit breaker on a 14-gauge wire will violate the National Electrical Code and constitute a serious safety hazard to your family’s safety. If you choose to proceed with the change, you will need to use 12-gauge wire to substitute the branch circuit wiring that was previously installed. If you have a 14-gauge wire, often known as #14 AWG, you will be unable to use a 20-amp circuit breaker in your course. If you want to know the screwdriver I use, check the flathead screwdriver from Amazon.Ĭircuit breaker Step 3 ensure that your gauge is correctĬheck the wire gauge on your circuit where you wish to install a new breaker before proceeding. Holding the cover plate in position with one hand while removing the last screw will keep the cover plate from sliding when the final screw is removed from the cover plate. Put on insulating gloves and then use a flat head screwdriver to pry the cover off the circuit breaker panel box from its mounting bracket. Before accessing the board, ensure that the main power switch is turned off.Ĭheck the fuse box from Amazon. Working with no current flowing through the fuse box panel is always safer. To help you check the inside of the breaker boxġ. How to change a breaker to a 20-amp breaker It is important to note that there is no need to twist the end of the power cord into a hook instead, the wire should be placed straight into the connecting terminal. If you’re installing one, the red and black hot wires will be connected to the twin pole breaker. The neutral and hot wires should be inserted into the circuit breaker according to the label on the circuit breaker. However, if you don’t want to do an unplanned rain dance, turn off the breaker beforehand. Lastly, you can shove it into both the 20 Amp breaker and an adjacent 20 Amp outlet without any issues. You spend less electricity when your wire is more significant in diameter. Nonetheless, the same line can transport significantly less voltage without causing any severe consequences. You don’t want the cable to carry any more electricity than it can hold at this time. I acknowledge those are more good reasons for the NEC rule.To put it another way, if you want to substitute a 30Amp breaker with a 20Amp circuit, you can do it without using thinner wires in the process. ![]() (For sake of discussion, exclude situations like forgetting you did this, contractors using the circuit, sale of the property to an unaware party, etc. You also don't own any 20 amp devices, so there is zero chance of one being connected to the circuit. (You will get a correct 15 amp outlet eventually, but you don't have it right now.) This circuit is on your own, private property - no one else will use it but you. Suppose all you have on hand is a 20 amp GFCI and you need to replace an outlet on a 15 amp circuit. As I understand it, the reason that a 20 amp outlet can't be connected to a 15 amp circuit is that someone could potentially connect a 20 amp device, overload the circuit, and cause a fire. I'll start by acknowledging that I know this violates NEC. ![]()
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