The breakers are sized for the design current draw.
If you replace them with a lower amp breaker and run appliances that draw more than the lower amperage breakers, they will trip, meaning your kettle, cooker, iron, or whatever, appliance will stop working. Eventually you will wet tired of cold tea and resetting them, and you will install the correct ones.
My question to you is, what are the circumstances that make it necessary to replace them now?
Please reply by comment to this post.
Thank you so much for your attention to my question!
I'm replacing my kitchen outlets with GFCI receptacles, which are required now, but not when this house was built. The existing receptacles are 20amp. Can I use 15 amp GFCI's?
Thanks again!
Technically Layla is correct except that if two or more one appliances are used simultaneously, the current draw can easily exceed 15 amps. That is why the duplex receptacles in a kitchen are split and on separate circuits.
You're talking about less than $40.00 costs in what could be a multi thousand dollar renovation.
If it was me, there is no way that I would consider "cheaping out".
MOTTO:.....
DO IT RIGHT..... THE FIRST TIME
×
Best Answer: This is allowed, since a 20 amp circuit has many 15 amp receptacles. It is VERY rare to have any one device pull that much current. Except in special cases, all outlets in homes are 15 amp. 20 amp outlets have a special sideways T for one prong. This is so that a device that requires 20 amps can't be plugged into an ordinary 15 amp outlet. Look around the room - I'll bet there are no 20 amp outlets in sight. Unless you're wiring up a shop, and have a larger than average table saw or planer (which would have a special plug, and probably require a dedicated circuit) then you're fine. As far as cost, 15 amp outlets are $0.88 - $1.50 and 20 amp are $6. My advice is to use a good quality 15 amp outlet over a cheap 20 amp. Always use the screw terminals, not the quick push-in type. The terminals are every outlet's weakest point. With a good connection, you'll be more than safe.
79 views
Usually answered in minutes!
I want to update the kitchen receptacles to GFCI, which are required now in kitchens, but were not when this house was built. Thank you for your attention to my question!
For your info, if the wiring was done to the existing code when the house was built, it is legal.
If you are doing upgrades or changes to the wiring now, all of the changes have to be to the current code. If you have any doubt as to what that means, and to make sure that what you are doing is safe and won't lead to the potential for overloading circuits, Please see your local Electrical Inspector.
A few $ spent on a permit will entitle you to the benefit of his coaching and expertise.
×