Replace 15amp GFCI breaker with 20amp?

[KYAirstream]

My trailer has all 20amp breakers, with the exception of a single 15 amp GFCI protected breaker. Any reason to leave this as a 15amp instead of a 20amp GFCI breaker? The wire appears to be all 12 gauge...

[jm2]

Originally Posted by KYAirstream

Any reason to leave this as a 15amp instead of a 20amp GFCI breaker?

if you need the 20 amp capacity on that circuit, then change it if you're sure of the wire size.

otherwise, save your time and money, and don't fix something that is not broken....

best,

[Minno]

Check the wire size at each outlet that the GFCI breaker feeds too. Don't assume that just because it's 12 gauge at the panel that it stays 12 gauge on the entire circuit. If you find any 14 gauge wire, leave it the breaker at 15 amps.

Chris

[KYAirstream]

Will do. Surely they wouldn't run 14 gauge wire, but I will make sure....

[Minno]

Well, one would hope not, but people do strange things sometimes. Especially if someone added an outlet at a later date...

[idroba]

There is another possible reason that a 15 amp GFCI was installed. The actual capacity of most "normal" outlets you buy is only 15 amps. If you have several on a circuit, it is assumed that they will not be loaded over 15 amps for any one outlet and other outlets will take some of the capacity of a 20 amp circuit, and the code allows that multiple 15 amp rated outlets can be used on a 20 amp breaker. However, if you only have one outlet on a 20 amp circuit it must be a heavier duty 20 amp rated outlet (usually you can identify them as they have a T slot on one side). Thus, if in a place like a home where there is a single outlet for the washer or washer and gas dryer, and that one outlet only is fed by a 20 amp circuit breaker, it must be a heavy duty outlet.

Back to the issue at hand. If the GFCI which AS installed in the panel is only serving one outlet (like in the bathroom) they may have put a 15 amp GFCI in rather than a 20 amp GFCI so they could use a regular (not heavy duty) outlet.

This is speculation only, but may be the reason for the 15 amp GFCI you have found.

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by idroba

Back to the issue at hand. If the GFCI which AS installed in the panel is only serving one outlet (like in the bathroom) they may have put a 15 amp GFCI in rather than a 20 amp GFCI so they could use a regular (not heavy duty) outlet.

This is speculation only, but may be the reason for the 15 amp GFCI you have found.

I doubt that is the reason, on the Airstreams I have information about the GFCI covers the converter outlet, outside outlet, kitchen outlet and bathroom outlet.