A breaker protects the wire, so breaker and wire size go together. This chart pairs common household circuits with their typical breaker and copper wire size.
| Circuit | Breaker | Copper wire |
|---|---|---|
| General lighting | 15 A | 14 AWG |
| Kitchen and bath outlets | 20 A | 12 AWG |
| Microwave, disposal | 20 A | 12 AWG |
| Electric dryer | 30 A | 10 AWG |
| Water heater | 30 A | 10 AWG |
| Electric range | 40 – 50 A | 8 – 6 AWG |
| EV charger (Level 2) | 40 – 60 A | 8 – 6 AWG |
Match breaker to wire. Never put a breaker larger than the wire is rated for. For continuous loads, size the circuit to 125% of the load (the 80% rule).
FAQ
Can I upsize a breaker if it keeps tripping? No, not without addressing the actual cause. A breaker size must match the wire gauge it protects, so upsizing the breaker without upsizing the wire removes the protection the wire needs and can allow it to overheat under sustained load.
See the Wire Ampacity Chart and What Wire Size Do I Need.