WORST MISTAKE Homeowners make upgrading a 15AMP to 20AMP Circuit Breaker

Everyone asks if you can upgrade a 15amp circuit breaker to 20amps circuit in their house. Can you just swap the breaker is there anything to worry about? Here I answer the most common video request I have received.

This video is for information purposes only, electrical work should always been done by a licensed electrician

Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Silver Cymbal assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Silver Cymbal recommends safe practices when working on machines and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Silver Cymbal.

[obertosiciliano]

I'm an electrician 28 years in the business, this was an excellent and educational video about breaker upgrades. Very well done

[emritramharracksingh]

One of the reasons I always just use the same 20A rated wires even on 15A circuits. Sure it costs a bit more, but a few times have had the need to repurpose the runs. So comes in helpful.

[snappybabby]

You had me worried there in the beginning. I was like WHAT? !!! But you handled that well.

[scottmyers]

With the amount of misinformation on YouTube, I seriously thought this was going to be a dangerous video. I've been an electrician for 16 years and thought I was going to have to put a comment to correct the video. I'm glad to see that you put so much thought and information into this video, thank you for not spreading dangerous claims.

[sladeoriginal]

Perfect! Breakers protect the wires in the wall, not the equipment or appliance it runs.

[bryanclark]

At first I was scared, but after watching the video I feel relieved. Best advice, have electrical circuits installed by professionals. DIY electrical is nothing to mess with. Serious and life threatening problems can still occur years down the line.

[xnademolicious]

I think it's important to point out the consequences of undersized wires - if you overload a wire buried within your wall, they WILL overheat and can cause fire INSIDE your wall! Think about where the wires run through the studs all throughout your house. It's often catastrophic, and even if it's fit your your purpose for a transient load, it's just a matter of time before someone hooks a long-term overload to the circuit.

[dj-kqfz]

like many viewers "surely he's not, no he can't be suggesting....please, no, god, no....". Well played and nicely done!

[fuegoman]

Exactly. Thank you for pointing this out to folks who may not be aware.

[Sparky-wwre]

Love the fact you mentioned there is the possibility of 14 gauge wiring spliced in somewhere, thus the weakest link determines the overall circuit rating. Another possibility is sometimes 12 or even 10 gauge is used for 15 amp circuits, where there is a long run from the panel, typically over 100 feet or so and the wire is oversized, to keep voltage drop at the far end under control, this sometimes happens in very large homes, or when there's an addition. However, if there are more than a couple of circuits involved it will often be more cost effective in material and labor to install a subpanel near the remote location, than to oversize all of the circuits.

[robarguin]

I was about to swap out a 15amp breaker for a 20amp for an infrared sauna. I'm glad this stopped me from making a mistake and will now take the proper steps of putting in a 12 gauge wire. Thanks!

[Toyostar]

I would never attempt to work on any electrical in my house after this video. Thank god my neighbor is an electrician. This was very helpful you explained yourself well. 👍

[michaelwright]

Good video, I am not an electrician but self taught out of neccesity. Right now I am installing new outlets, floor outlets, already prewired internally. The issue, they have 20 amp plugs, the internal wiring is 14 AWG... I rewired with the proper 12 AWG. Watch what you are installing folks. And yes, I am dropping new 12/2 romex with the appropriate 20 amp breakers. This is for an AV setup in my little corner. What a difference in sound and picture quality all of this is making! Well worth the time and effort!

[mabbaticchio]

You are like a mind reader. Every-time I ask myself a question, you make a video answering that question. Crazy!

[billh]

Very much the same for automotive wiring. Installing a larger-than-rated fuse causes all sorts of problems, up to and including fire. An automatiç circuit breaker, (i. e. certain power accessories) can be even more dangerous.

Do yourselves a favor: don't go above the fuse rated for the circuit.

[mAkills]

Nice video on mcb sizing.
Many are not aware of the consequences of mismatch between the mcb and wire ampacity.
They don't want nuisance tripping!

[G.I.JeffsWorkbench]

This short video is the best one I’ve seen that clearly describes why you shouldn’t just install a higher amp breaker on existing lines. Your advice is spot on, as is your recommendation. Trust someone else’s (potential) mess & you could regret it. Very well done. A licensed electrician will also make sure to install the brand & type of breaker that your panel was designed for (e.g does your panel require GE?; Square D?; Eaton?; Alstom?; ITE?; Siemens breakers?). Very well done and presented.

[dudeurodude]

Love the new editing. Huge fan of your channel, keep it up!
Should’ve watched this video 2 weeks ago I was having problems with my breakers!

[JenniferC-wbtv]

Thanks. So helpful. Electricity is seriously dangerous. I am an investor and bought a house with a 200 amp service. The metal panel was off and lug protector off. The two exposed lugs could have so easily electrocuted me. I've asked several electricians and they've all told me the same thing, I wouldn't have lived. I had a handy person shut main breaker off, but when I went to turn it back on, I pulled very hard, it needed strength and my two fingers were a few centimeters from that lug! So that exposed panel that didn't have a cover over it. On top of the fact that the lugs didn't have a protector was lethal. I did have a home inspection and the inspector mentioned it was dangerous to have the lid off but didn't elaborate how dangerous. I also had an electrician that was on drugs put an HVAC connector to a wire that could not handle load and there was a fire in the box. Be VERY careful finding good licensed electricians and I recommend no DIY with electricity.

[stratty]

Great video. I was going to try this myself but after watching decided to call a licensed electrician. Thanks!