Hello all,

I have a problem with the breaker to my master bedroom tripping. It usually only happens when I add one more item to all the items I have plugged up in there, usually the vacuum cleaner. I have my TV, DVD, VCR, Satellite receiver, stereo system, computer system with APC, satellite internet, three printers, a couple of lights, digital camera and dock and probably a couple more items all on this breaker. I have a GE breaker box and this is a GE 15 amp breaker. I would like to upgrade this breaker to a 20 or 30 amp breaker.

I realize that I probably should call an electrician to do this for me, but I'm trying to learn all I can about this area so that one day I can do this myself. Also, it's hard to even get an electrician around here to make a service call. They are all so busy with new construction. Our area is growing rapidly.

I have read all the posts warning to make sure the power is cut to the breaker and even then to be extra careful. Just for discussion and learning purposes, can I replace this breaker with a higher amp breaker, assuming the breaker box overall can handle more amps? Do most new houses run a typical bedroom with a 15 amp breaker? Can anyone tell me additional information related to upgrading a breaker?

My house, built in 1999, is 3,600 sq. ft with two 1800 sq ft levels, a main floor and a finished basement. I have two identical breaker boxes on each floor and neither has a main circuit breaker in their box. On the outside of the house, I have a box on either side of the meter , each containing only a service disconnect switch, which I assume is the main breaker for each floor.

Thanks in advance for the lessons in home electrical. If I need to provide anymore info, please let me know.

Thanks again,

David

 

hi
15 amp breaker run on 14/2 wire and 20 amp breaker required 12/2 wire.
you might have to call an electrician to run the wire and upgrade your breaker

 

The reason you are tripping the breaker is you have too much load on the circuit. A vacuum cleaner allone is 10-13 amps. You need to add a new circuit and breaker. I would put all the computer equipment onto a new circuit. I might even consider two new circuits for the computer and the audio/video equip.
A 15 amp breaker is likely wired with #14 wire. You can not upgrade the breaker to a 20 amp if any of the wrie on the circuit is #14. A 30 amp breaker is never allowed to control a standard wall duplex receptacle.

 

Your circuit could be overloaded, especially if any of those printer are laser printers. Rather than upgrade the existing circuit, you should install a dedicated circuit for the office-type equipment.

No. The breaker can be changed to a 20A breaker if and only if the entire circuit is wired with 12 gauge wire. Your circuit almost certainly is 14 gauge wire which has a maximum ampacity of 15A.