Is it ok to replace a 15a breaker with a 20a?

If the wire that supplies the circuit is size #12 awg then it is ok to change it to a 20 amp breaker...if the wire size is #14 awg then you cannot change it to a 20 amp breaker...the wire size is usually on the outer sheath of the cable that the individual wires are in....turn you main breaker off and check at your breaker box or remove the outlet and check the wire there...should say 12/2 or 14/2 with ground on outside of cable...by code if the wire leaving the circuit breaker box is #12 it must be #12 the entire length of the circuit...of course the actual problem here is that the circuit is way overloaded and should be made into 2 circuits..

This gets a big giant NO.

A 20 amp circuit requires larger wire than a 15 amp circuit. You certainly could replace the 15 amp circuit with a 20 amp circuit, but this would require replacing the entire run of wire with larger wire. It would be much easier to add a new circuit.

Before this goes too far, I suspect someone will indicate that you could change the breaker if the wire for the circuit is large enough. It is fairly common to use #12 wire for the circuit (which is large enough) but put in a 15 amp breaker. The problem with this theory is you would need to make certain that all of the wire in the circuit is #12 or larger. This would not be easy given the variety of devices on this circuit.

For what its worth, this does sound like a bit much for one 15 amp circuit anyway, even without the microwave. Also, running the microwave on the same circuit as the TV can cause some interference issues, so it would be best to run a new circuit or two anyway.

And of course, someone has suggested that if you see #12 you are fine with a 20 amp breaker because of code. 4 ceiling fans, 7 lights, at least two outlets (including one in the kitchen, unless you microwave is in the living room). Someone has decided code is not important. I would not count on them to select a proper size wire based upon your description. If you can't see ALL of it, don't count on it.

OK, your obviously NOT an electrician or you would not be asking this. the answer IS NO NO NO! Under NO circumstances NEVER DO THAT!

depending on how many items your running at a time there is a reason for the circuit popping! add up the wattage of how much your running on that one circuit. get a kill-a-watt meter ( about 25.00 USD depending on where you get it online).

if you are the HOME OWNER and DEPENDING ON YOUR LOCAL CODE, it might be legal to do a new circuit yourself, IF you know how to &

If your the home owner and if it is legal by local codes.

If you don't research it out until you can do it in your sleep then if this is the first time you have done it.There are very good books on the topic of home wiring , thats how i learned. if this is your first time adding a circuit, have someone knowledgeable check it before you send electric through it. easy way is move the microwave to a different circuit, if that is an option. there is a reason for the 15 amp breakers, if an appliance goes bad it can keep the house from burning down.

Do not replace the 15 amp breaker with a 20 amp breaker.The wire is #15 and not rated for use with a 20 amp breaker. If you need to reduce the load on the circuit in question have a circuit installed for the microwave. Good Luck!!

Absolutely not. The breaker is sized to protect the wiring not the other stuff on the circuit. If you oversize the breaker you run the risk of drawing too much current and melting the insulation on the wires and causing a fire.

Your best bet is to hire an electrician and have him split the circuit for you.

I can't believe some of these answers. David how would you feel if Mike burned his house down with your dumb answer?

Now. Your circuit is overloaded. You knew that. Here is a tip for you. You will soon have a non working micro wave. They do not like low voltage. You get low voltage from having other things on the circuit. The solution is to have an electrician (a real one) install a dedicated circuit for the microwave. The microwave will last longer and your over loaded circuit problem will be fixed.

Not until you check every items between the breaker and what you'll be running. The wiring, the switches and the receptacles may not be up to the higher voltage.

If you really need more power have another line run instead.

first, replace the circuit breaker with the same type and see if that helps. if it still trips to the off then you need to isolate

and run a separate line to the devices you want to power up, and may require a electrician.

1-Check wire size first

2- 15 amp breaker is design for one out let , if you use more than one device in out let is better to go with 20amp and wire size must be 12/3 to prevent the wattage.

Yeah, if you keep poppin' the breaker. Go up to 20 amps.