Change circuit breaker from 30 to 40 amp?

Question

My ac unit recently went out and i was told it was because they were running on 60 amps and needed 80. In my box there are 2-30amps can i simply pull these out and replace them with 2-40s? Will provide more details if needed... but i'm fairly clueless about this unfortunately.

Answer 1

DUDE WTF!! this advice is just stupid .  It doesn't depend on anything.  Whoever told you you needed an 80 amp breaker is wrong.  Its ileagal for any household apliance to require a breaker of more than a two pole 50a.  You wouldn't get 80a from a two pole 40 even if the wire was the right size.  There is DEADLY advice in here asker.

  ANSWERERS IF YOU DON"T KNOW WHAT YOUR TALKING  STFU  AND DON"T ANSWER!!!

Theres a link below to a site where you can get 3 FREE estimates.  Use it talk to the contractors get there opinion.

!@#@!

I remind you all of article 90.1 of NFPA 70 edit your answers before you get someone hurt.

Answer 2

It depends on many things, the draw of the unit, the size of the wire to the unit and the age of the unit. If this is a new unit (less than 1 year) call the company that installed it to make the corrections.  If it has been in use for a few years, why did it start to fail now?  Has it been serviced lately?  The breakers may be the correct size, but the AC is now drawing more than it should, or the breakers may be failing, or both.  No matter what, it is time to call a qualified professional electrician to do the service work.

To answer your question, in general no you can not just change the size of the breakers.

Answer 3

If your insurance may not pay if there is a fire and you did this.

Answer 4

No, the amperage on the breaker must match the max amperage on the wire and the device connected to it.  Have a professional look at it.  They can determine the best options and if there is any fire hazards.

Better to be safe then burn to death.

Answer 5

They will swap but you don't want to pull to much current if you don't have the wire capacity. I would let an electrician look at what you have.

Answer 6

well it is hard to say because we don't know what your electrical box is rated at,and you can have a fire or electrical explosion. it would be cheaper to get a a/c person to come and check . they will give you a professional opinion and then you can go from there. if you put in the wrong breakers and have an electrical fire and they find you went past the rating of you electrical box,it might cause your insurance company to take a second look at your policy. hire a pro it pays.

Answer 7

No, you cannot just replace the 30A breaker with a 40A. The breaker is protecting the cable that goes from the panel to the device, so you would also need to increase the gauge of the cable. If you don't, there is a real possiblity of overheating the cable, which could start a fire.