Login|Contact Us
Question and Answer

Electrical

Ask an Electrical Question, Get an Answer ASAP!

  • Ask A Question
  • Browse Answers
  • Meet The Experts
  • How JustAnswer Works

Can you put in a higher amp breaker,on a hot tub breaker box,

 
Mike G.'s Avatar
  • Answered by:Mike G.
  • Master Electrician
  • Positive Feedback: 96.8 %
  • Accepted Answers: 4663
Verified Expert
in Electrical

Recent Feedback

Positive
Mike G was very helpful, had very good insight. Would be glad to use his...
Positive
Type your review here...
Positive
Thank you for your help. I DID give feedback - but the JA website is having...
Positive
thank-you
Positive
Thanks Mike appreciate the info
Positive
Thanks for your fast reply. I'll have to try to pretty up the wires and...
Positive
Thanks
Positive
Seemed very Patience. Very helpful. thanks mike
Positive
Mike G is fast and the best part, he is able to speak "non-techie" so neophytes...

Customer Question

Can you put in a higher amp breaker,on a hot tub breaker box, than what you have in the breaker panel? For example 50amp in panel, 60 amp in box running to hot tub.

 

Optional Information:
Make: Great Lakes

Already Tried:
Changed breaker in box outside to a 60 amp and it did'nt help at all. Could it possibly be the breaker in the panel?

Submitted: 283 days and 18 hours ago.
Category: Electrical
Value: $15
Status: CLOSED
Picture
Expert:  Mike G. replied 283 days and 18 hours ago.

Hi, I'm Mike and I'll be glad to assist you. It would be best to give me the name plate rating for the tub, in order to size the circuit and breaker. Arbitrarily changing the breaker could be a big mistake. The load and the wiring determines the size of the breaker.

Customer replied 283 days and 17 hours ago.

12 vac/240vac,60hz 40A Hope this is what you needed.

Customer replied 283 days and 17 hours ago.

12vac/240vac,6ohz/40a Hope this what you need ,12 vac/240vac,60hz 40A  Hope this is what you needed.

Picture
Expert:  Mike G. replied 283 days and 17 hours ago.

The calculation for that load is a 50 Amp circuit. How far from the Panel is the tub? The wire size will depend on that. If the 50 A Breaker isn't holding, you may have a Voltage drop which increases the amperage because of the wire size. Let me know what it is.

Customer replied 283 days and 11 hours ago.

The tub is about two feet from the box with the breaker in it. The wire is a number six. Could it possibly be that we had a leak in a connection, and it threw the breaker in the box, possibly causing the breaker in the big panel to go bad. We could'nt get the breaker by the tub tub to stay on.

Accepted Answer

Picture
Expert:  Mike G. replied 283 days and 10 hours ago.

The wire and the breaker are 50 Amps. I would suggest pulling the breaker in the panel and checking the jaws for any signs of arcing. That is a common failure for breakers. If you do replace the breaker you need to keep it at 50Amps. Leave the 60 Amp breaker in the disconnect box, the over current protection is the one in the panel and the 60 is only acting as a Switch.

Expert TypeMaster Electrician
Category: Electrical
Pos. Feedback: 96.8 %
Accepts: 4663
Answered: 7/1/2012

Experience: Proven Professional 44 years Experience

Ask this Expert a Question >
Picture
Expert:  Mike G. replied 281 days and 7 hours ago.

I see that you got a refund. I'd appreciate knowing if I missed something or if you feel that there was something wrong with the answer.

 
Tweet

Electricians are Online Right Now

Ask Your Question Now
Electrical Questions Date Submitted
Hello, I have a 115 volt 20 watt heating element in 3/27/2013
long shot someone can help but here goes. single pole switch 3/27/2013
there is a circuit in my kitchen that keeps turning off and 3/26/2013
I have a bathroom with no outlet. Can I wire a GFI outlet 3/26/2013
Last year a lightening bolt struck our bungalow (no damage 3/26/2013
I have a 3 year old home in Ottawa, Canada. We have replaced 3/26/2013
Flooded electrical dried out romex and recepticals. Does it 3/25/2013
how do I run wire in a cinder block house,is the cost more 3/25/2013
I have three electrical equipment's that I need power at all 3/25/2013
I have an electrical box on ceiling whit three cables.coming 3/24/2013
RSS
Next 10 >
Ask an Electrician
Type Your Electrical Question Here...
characters left:

Top Electrical Experts

See More Electricians

In The News

Nbc
Washington Post
New York Times
Cnn
Learn More

How It Works

  • Ask an Expert
  • Get a Professional Answer
  • Ask Followup Questions
  • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Learn More
 
 
 

Recent Articles in Electrical

  • Electric Pull Switch Related Questions
  • Questions about OHMS
  • Questions on Light Switch Problems
  • Electrical Transfer Switch Questions
  • Questions on Electrical Plugs
  • Questions on Generator Troubleshooting
  • Questions on Electrical Bus Bar
  • Questions on Electrical Timer Switches
  • Questions on Thermostat Problems
  • Questions on Voltage Problems
All Electrical Articles
 
 
 
close
Find Expert answers related to your question.
Sign up using email
We will never post anything without your permission.
Already have an account? Sign in

Ask an Electrician

Get a Professional Answer. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.
89 Electricians are Online Now
Type Your Electrical Question Here...
characters left:
Disclaimer: Information in questions, answers, and other posts on this site ("Posts") comes from individual users, not JustAnswer; JustAnswer is not responsible for Posts. Posts are for general information, are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (medical, legal, veterinary, financial, etc.), or to establish a professional-client relationship. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty or representations by JustAnswer regarding the qualifications of Experts. To see what credentials have been verified by a third-party service, please click on the "Verified" symbol in some Experts' profiles. JustAnswer is not intended or designed for EMERGENCY questions which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals.
Truste
Contact Us | Terms of Service | Privacy & Security | About Us
© 2003-2013 JustAnswer LLC