circuit breaker rating

[SacDave]

I did a 3-day Demo on a bot the second day the circuit blew 15amp turned out the lug on the breaker was loose I had another 15amp breaker installed that. So now I have a 20amp breaker and a 20amp GFI on the way. I’m thinking a 20amp GFI would be better than a 15. Most house always run 20amp breakers on outlets then 15amp GFI’s. What do you think is my plan good? I have to check what gage wire they used in the box at the pool the whole thing looks like something a kid did.

 

[Msch99]

Depending on how long the run is, you need 12 gauge or larger for a 20 amp breaker.

Does it only run the robot or pump also?

 

[ImpalaSS]

If you are running a 20a breaker you need #12 gauge wire. A 20a GFCI is usually not necessary. You can run a 15a GFCI on a 20a breaker.

 

[Brett S]

It absolutely depends on the gauge of the wire. The circuit breaker exists to prevent the wire from getting overloaded and heating up and starting a fire. It would be unusual for someone to install wire that could support 20 amps and then put a 15 amp breaker on the circuit. The lower gauge wire is more expensive and more difficult to work with, so it’s unlikely that someone would go through that trouble for no reason.

Unless you are absolutely certain that your wire run will support 20 amps you should keep your 15 amp breaker.

That said, a robot should draw considerably less than 15 amps. Unless there is something else on the same circuit I see no reason that you would need to upgrade it to 20 amps anyway.

 

[SacDave]

Sorry I do no it needs #12 I have the wire. The outlet will be just for the Bot most the time, we plug a stereo in the outlet but that won't be on when the bot is running. I think on a cool day I'll shut the power of and redo all the wiring I like things to be nice and neat easy to trace your connections .