If you’re thinking of adding more lighting, modern appliances, or electrical devices to your home or business’s electrical system, you might unintentionally overload its circuits. It’s best to have dedicated outlets for items that pull a lot of electricity to ensure safe operation.
So how many watts can a 15-amp breaker handle? Below, we look more at how circuits work and how much a 15-amp circuit breaker can handle if you must install additional outlets.
What Is a Circuit?
Before answering the question, “How many watts can a 15-amp breaker handle?” it helps to understand what a circuit is. A circuit is the designated path that electrical currents move on. The circuits have special wiring and conductive materials to help transport electricity from Point A to Point B.
Inside a house or commercial property, the current will flow into a fuse box or circuit breaker, which separates it into various routes. Each course goes to a different circuit including a 15-amp circuit. This option is most suitable for lighting, small appliances, and personal electronic devices.
What Should You Know About Overloading Circuits?
The problem with pulling too much electricity from a 15-amp circuit by plugging lots of devices is that it can cause a circuit overload. That happens when the power flowing through the circuit exceeds what it can manage. This is a dangerous electrical overload problem that can lead to heat degradation and electrical fires.
How Many Watts Can a 15-Amp Circuit Breaker Handle?
How many watts can a 15-amp circuit breaker handle? To know the breaker’s limits, you must calculate its load capacity. To perform the calculation, you should know how amps and watts relate to each other.
A circuit’s current corresponds to electrical voltage and resistance. Voltage refers to an electrical current’s potential to move, while resistance refers to how easy it is for current to flow. A circuit’s wattage is how much power machinery, electronic devices, and appliances draw from it.
A typical residential electrical system operates at 120 volts. So the calculation would be volts x amps = watts. If you’re using a 15-amp circuit, you’d calculate 120 volts x 15 amps = 1800 watts, making 1800 watts the maximum load the circuit breaker can handle.
It’s worth noting that you shouldn’t immediately maximize the wattage on your circuit. According to the National Electrical Code, circuits under continuous use should only max out at 80% of their load capacity. The load capacity reduction accommodates electrical heat, ensuring that the circuit doesn’t experience an unexpected current overload.
Learn More About Circuit Breakers and Wattage From ESD LLC
Knowing the answer to “How many watts can a 15-amp breaker handle?” will help ensure your safety when plugging devices and appliances into different outlets. If you have additional questions or need premium outlets and accessories for your electrical system, reach out to ESD LLC.
Our knowledgeable electrical experts serving the Northwest can help with everything from circuit breaker terminals from top manufacturers to residential amps. Contact us today through our convenient online form or call 425-419-4167, and we’ll gladly help.
