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home circuit breaker - good idea or not to increase to higher amp fuse?

Hi all, breaking off to a separate discussion.  While fixing some electrical stuff at home, my electrician informed me that my circuit breaker fuse for my music room area is 20amp.  I'm wondering if upgrading the home circuit break fuse from 20 to 30 or 40amp fuse would improve current flow to my hifi amp.  Has anyone done something like this before at home?
hifineubee
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,575 posts
 
Its not just the breaker but the wiring as well that would have to be upgraded; doing just the breaker would result in a Fire Hazard.

FWIW, a 20 amp circuit is a lot of power for an audio system and should enough, unless you have a really really big system!
auxinput
2,920 posts
 

I would say make sure your running at least 12awg romex for a 20 amp circuit breaker.  10awg romex is better, but 12awg will be okay.  If you're looking for a 30/40 amp breaker, 10awg minimum for sure.  Maybe ever 8 awg recommended.

By the way, I'm running a 40 Amp 220 breaker for some woodworking power tools (5 HP tablesaw).  I have an extension cord that 10awg for that and it has been fine.  The circuit breaker hasn't tripped on that at all.

gs5556
1,209 posts
 
Take a look at the mains fuse rating on your amp and you will see that it's much less than 20-amp. That limits the amperage draw to the amplifier and it would make no difference if the breaker and wiring to the amp handles 20, 30 or whatever amps.
erik_squires
15,662 posts
 
The fuse size will not help or hinder you. In all cases, obey federal and local electrical codes.

AFAIK you may not put a larger sized breaker on a 120V/15 or 120V/20A circuit that uses the common outlets. Maybe this is just tied to wire guage. 12ga = 20A, 14ga = 15A.

At best, consider isolated circuits, or adding a second. Use one for incidentals like cable TV, lights, etc. and another for your fine audio gear.

Best,

E
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