I have a house electricity question?

Question

Can you hook a 20w breaker to a 15w wire? Will it overheat? Also is it okay to have all 15w breakers will this be able to handle most things in the house?

Answer 1

I think you mean amps. it's not that the 20amp breaker will overheat, but you might overload(&overheat) the circuit. the 20amp breaker is waiting for more amperage to trip than the 15g wire is rated to carry:so, you could overload the circuit wiring without tripping the breaker. 14g wire handles up to 15amps, 12g wire up to 20amps. not recommeded to connect 14g wire to a 20amp breaker.

Most of your outlets and switches running lights and light appliances are on 15amp breakers.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

Call a qualified professional electrician, the breakers are rated for voltage and ampacity, not wattage.  No do not put a 20 amp breaker on 15 amp wire, that is how fires get started. 15 amp will not handle most items in a modern home.

Answer 3

NO, you should NEVER use a 20 Amp breaker on any wire less than 12 guage wire. The smaller wire will overheat and burn before the 20 Amp breaker would trip.

**JD

Answer 4

If you're asking this question, then you need to hire a qualified electrician and not touch anything related to the wiring of the house.