Even if there is #12 wire at the breaker and at the outlets, there may be a
feed to another circuit (light fixture maybe) that is fed off that circuit
with #14. It is not legal to do so but as Jim says some guys do just that
kind of thing. Those 15 amp breakers were probably put there for a reason so
make sure of everything that is fed by them before changing them to 20A
73
Gary K4FMX
> -----Original Message-----
> From: amps-bounces@contesting.com [mailto:amps-bounces@contesting.com] On
> Behalf Of jimsmitheguard-a@yahoo.com
> Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 12:17 AM
> To: AMPS List
> Subject: Re: [Amps] 240V Outlet
>
> David,
> Yes you can, but make sure the entire circuit is #12 AWG. I've seen many
> installations where the circuit changes to #14 AWG somewhere along the
> line so the electrician appropriately installs a 15 ampere circuit
> breaker, but unwittingly sets the owner up for a hazard in the future when
> he thinks it's OK to upgrade to a 20 ampere breaker.
>
> Jim Smith, EE
> KQ6UV
>
> --- On Sun, 8/9/09, David C. Hallam <dhallam@rapidsys.com> wrote:
>
>
> From: David C. Hallam <dhallam@rapidsys.com>
> Subject: Re: [Amps] 240V Outlet
> To: jimsmitheguard-a@yahoo.com
> Cc: "AMPS List" <amps@contesting.com>
> Date: Sunday, August 9, 2009, 4:43 PM
>
>
> OK, let me ask a question here. All of my breaker are 15A. Can I replace
> any of them with 20A breakers. Wiring is 12/2 with ground.
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