Will adding new 20-amp circuits overload my electrical panel?
Adding new lights, outlets, or 20-amp breakers creates a risk of drawing too much power and overloading the main box. People expanding a room need to know if their current electrical panel looks appropriate and can safely handle the extra electrical load.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1consulting an electrician for quotes
- 2asking online forums to evaluate photos of the electrical panel
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“My concern was drawing too much from the load when I get more lights and outlets installed.”source ↗
“Thats what I’m concerned about. I want to make sure the new room won’t overload the box/house if i add one or two more 20AMPs.”source ↗
“Right, just making sure those new 20AMPs won’t overload the box.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
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- 7Why does running multiple appliances trip the circuit breaker?
- 2How do I find out what size AC unit I have?