Here is my scenario. I will preface this by saying that I have nothing else on the circuit (meaning nothing else is plugged in or turned on).
I have plugged in one of those portable heaters (like a radiator). It has two "on" switches. Each switch uses slightly more power and results in more heat.
When I was running my vacuum, the breaker would trip within a minute. I would reset and try to vacuum again. The same would happen. I finally realized this was due to the heater. I have both switches turned on and the circuits would not handle both. I then turned on only one heater switch and had no problem with my vacuum. Why was this happening with only those two items running?
A second part of my question is, while looking in the breaker box, there were number on the switches (20, 40, 15, etc.) I assume these refer to the amps flowing through the switch. Is it possible to have an electrician replace that switch with a higher number without rewiring the house, or is the switch closely tied to the wires used for the circuit?
You are pulling to many amps with the heater on high and the vacuum on. And yes the numbers are the amps. YOU CANNOT install a larger breaker with out rewiring the circuit. DON’T listen to the people who say that 12 gage and 14 gage combined will handle 30 amps. NEC code states that you can only put 20 amps on 12 gage romex. You need to be scared of people who tell you to up size your breakers.
it sounds very much like the breaker is faulty the breaker is what you are calling the switch it snaps in easily a handy person can replace a breaker its not difficult
It’s obvious that the electric heater is drawing too much amperage when full on, with both elements running, to allow the vacuum to run on the same circuit at the same time. Most house circuits are fed from either a 15 amp or 20 amp breaker, each tied to a specific size and type of wire rated to carry that amount of amps and no more. Changing the breakers to a larger rating without changing the wire is asking for trouble, probably a fire, inside a wall. Please don’t do it. Possibly you could run the heater on a different circuit. In all the years I’ve been repairing wiring and homes in general, I’ve only had to replace two breakers because they became faulty. One was from corrosion and one was chipped by where it hooks to the center lug. It don’t happen often enough to be considered anything other than a last resort.
? # 1
having both sections of the heater on while turning the vac on over loaded the breaker,
? # 2
yes the numbers, corresponds with the allowable amps that breaker will carry .and the wire will handle
no you can not change the amp breaker to a higher #
with out rewiring
Dear Overload,
Here is how all that works….
Each breaker is rated in amperes. ( Just like you thought ) Each breaker supplies one area of the house. Breakers are installed according to the load ( how much stuff of what size ) is likely to be in that area.
Wires run from each breaker to that area and then are split off to each outlet or light fixture or appliance etc. From breaker to area the wire is larger. 12 gauge. From distribution point to finish it is smaller. 14 gauge. This configuration can handle up to 30 amps.
If the load (area heater at 17 amps plus vacuum at 5 amps) is greater than the breakers rating (probably 20) than the breaker overheats and flips. This is to prevent fires from electrical shorts. Just the breaker can be changed out for up to 30 amps. and still be just fine as a safety feature.
40 amp. and up are for double throw breakers supplying 240 volts to things like clothes dryers, HVAC units and ranges. Check your city or township codes before proceeding. I have to say that to CYA.
You may not have a problem at all. Both the heater and the vacuum draw a lot of amps. Most likely the circuit was not designed for that much amperage at the same time.
Just turn off the heater while using the vac.
Most circuits in homes are designed for lights and maybe 1 small appliance- like a fan. You are just over loading the circuit.
Yes you can raise the breaker size- BUT- that would require someone who knows how to calculate the max amp load in that circuit for the wire size. If you don’t want to go to that much trouble- just cut one or the other off.