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Phil, Mechanical Engineer
Category: Electrical
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Experience: Retired electrical contractor, 51 years experience.
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I have a new 3 season porch. I want to be able to run an electrical

Resolved Question:

I have a new 3 season porch. I want to be able to run an electrical heater or an air conditioner, the heater poped the circuit. Do I need to rewire or can I just get the breaker upgraded? Right now the whole porch is on one circuit 5 outlets one ceiling fan light combo the breaker is rated at 15

Submitted: 1 year ago.
Category: Electrical
Expert:  Phil replied 1 year ago.

All work must be permitted and inspected. WE KEEP GOING UNTIL YOU HAVE THE INFORMATION YOU NEED. I must come and go. This is step One.

Hello

If the breaker is rated at 15 amps, the wire is likely size 14.. and you cannot put a larger breaker on it, without creating a fire hazard.

If you want to run an electric heater and air conditioner out there, depending on the size of the AC you may want to run a 30 amp circuit, 230 volt circuit just to be safe, a 20 110v circuit is likely to be a little too light.


Tell me how big the porch area is, and what region of the country you are in and how air tight and well insulated the porch is.


We can go from there, Phil

Phil, Mechanical Engineer
Category: Electrical
Positive Feedback: 99 %
Satisfied Customers: 4567
Experience: Retired electrical contractor, 51 years experience.
Phil and 6 other Electrical Specialists are ready to help you
Customer: replied 1 year ago.

The porch is 16" X 16" approx the wires are 14 the air conditioner is 115v - 15a. Lots of windows the air conditioner would be for backup, we have french doors leading from the house. We live in Minneapolis MN. The heater is just to make the season last a little longer. I have plenty room in my breaker box would it be smart to run a new outlet just for the heater and air conditioner?

Thanks
Garth

Expert:  Phil replied 1 year ago.

Hello again

Yes, a new circuit, with size 12 awg wire, 110 volt, 20 amp breaker would run the AC in the summer and the heater in the winter.

You can continue getting more help on this after you accept, days or even months later if you need to


Thanks!



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