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what size braker to use in the shop for TS, PLANER ,AIR COM,RHS JOINTER AND OTHER TOOLS HAS A 15A AT THIS TIME AND IT TRIP THE BRAKER THINK I SHOULD HAVE A 20A? THEY ALL DONOT RUN AT THE SAME TIME BUT WHEN I RUN THAT PLANER 2 OR 3 PASSES IT WILL TRIP


"THE SHOP OF TOP"

Geoguy

Are you speaking of one circuit?? Well, if you're tripping a 15A, then a 20A would be better, ONLY if you have AT LEAST 12 guage wire and properly sized receptacles on your circuit.

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yes that is the circuit braker iam speaking of , i dont no what guage was put in her so that will be one of the first thinks i will check thank you

"THE SHOP OF TOP"

Terry Beeson

DO NOT change a circuit breaker unless you are sure you know what you are doing... and not just how to take one out and put another back in. Like Geoguy said, ONLY if you have 12 gauge wire in the circuit. If you're not sure and you put a 20A breaker in there, you could be dealing with a much worse problem... like big red trucks in front of your house/shop... Not too good...

And you should check the amp ratings on your tools to see what you are pulling...

Then, I might check to see if there is another problem like a short or something causing you to throw a breaker. They usually don't unless there is some kind of problem.

__________________
I cut that board three times and it's STILL too short!!!...
http://www.geocities.com/capt9992002

Handyman

I agrea with Terry Beeson.
Changing the braker without knowing what size wire is in the wall could result in the wire getting hot in the wall before the braker trips. And will surely get you a big red firetuck parked in front your house/shop.

You can buy a wire gauge at your local hardware or electrical supply house for a few bucks. It has a tappered slot you put the bare end of the wire in and slide it down the slote untill it stops. It will tell you what gauge wire you have.

First "FIRST" turn power off at the main braker. Remove recepticle from wall, remove one white wire from recepticle and use the gauge on it.

If it is a 12 gauge wire, you should be able to change the braker to a 20 amp. With this said, Employ someone who does this for a living so when its done, you can sleep better knowing its right.

__________________
Collector of Old Tools
Fixer of all things broke
Expert = Drip under pressure

WDChew

Like Terry said, you should check the amperage rating of your tools, a 20a circuit might not be needed. Sometimes breakers get weak as they age, and will trip. Replacing the 15amp with another 15a might solve the tripping problem. I had to replace a GFCI breaker in my shop that was only 2 years old.

Capt Crutch

Whatever you do, don't let the factory-installed, non-user-serviceable Magic Smoke® leak out!

smitty1967

THAT is some funny sh!t right there, I don't care where you live!

Seriously, I must agree with all the above posts....do NOT up-size a breaker to solve a breaker tripping issue. The breaker is opening (or tripping) because of excessive amperage flow on the circuit it is protecting. To upsize the breaker would essentially be lessening the protection on that run of wires to the point that enough heat could be generated to be the source of a fire.

My brother and I just completed the wiring in my shop; a rule of thumb that he uses is for sizing the breakers on any one circuit is this: the anticipated load in amps should be no greater than 80% of the rating of the breaker. This allows you an extra window for start-up current of large motors, while still providing adequate protection.

Remember, when the breaker is opening under load, it is doing its job. Don't disturb this delicate law of electrophysics.

regards
smitty

Gerry KIERNAN

Hi Top

If you have extra slots in your main panel you should try to add some more circuits. It may be that your lighting is also on the breaker with your equipment. If so, the combined load is probably what is tripping the breaker.

Gerry