What Size of Circuit Breakers Are Needed for Appliances?

Main Breaker

• The main breaker is the switch that turns the entire breaker box on and off. Small homes can use 50-amp breakers. Medium-size homes can run on 100- to 150-amp breakers. Homes with 2,000 square feet or more of space require 200-amp breakers.

Double-Pole Breakers

• According to Popular Mechanics, double-pole breakers use the entire 240 amps in the breaker box panel. Small appliances typically use 15- to 20-amp breakers, and larger appliances — such as clothes dryers — use 50-amp breakers. Air conditioning units typically require 70-amp breakers. These circuit breakers are usually connected with 6-gauge or 8-gauge wire, which is recommended for larger appliances.

Single-Pole Breakers

• Single-pole breakers of 15 to 20 amps can serve almost any smaller appliance, such as toasters, microwaves, garage door openers and light fixtures. Single-pole breakers up to 20 amps should be connected with 10-gauge wire for best results.

Considerations

• Arc-fault circuit breakers are meant to stop the flow of electricity if problems arise that could cause a fire to break out inside your home. Ground fault circuit interrupter outlets can shut off your appliances if necessary to prevent a fire. These outlets should be installed in your kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room, basement and garage. Your breaker box also has ground wires to prevent injuries from hot wires in your appliances.