House is in ATL, I'm TDY in ORL. New house in ATL, <2 years old, 15a breaker for one of the bedrooms periodically pops. We use it as the computer room, has: 6 yo computer (obviously); 2 x 19" flat panels, cheap amplified speakers w/sub, wireless modem, 6 yo HP all-in-one printer, ATT Uverse box, 3 x CFL lights, high intensity desk light, VCR (plugged in, but rarely used), ceiling fan. Breaker pops about every two weeks.

1/2 of Master BR has just started doing it too. 15a breaker. 46" LCD TV with DVD, VCR, surround sound sys., ATT box, microwave, light, ceiling fan.

What's weird is that they usually pop when no one is home. I'll be home for the 4th. I have an ammeter. First thing I'll check is the normal load on each breaker. Maybe it's close (especially after reading all that I have plugged in computer room.) to the max for normal load.

Any other ideas?

 

Make sure your wiring is good enough for it, and replace those 2 breakers with 20a.

 

Please don't. Your house is probably wired with 14 ga wire for receptacles. Putting a 20A breaker on it can over load the wiring. You're probably experiencing cheap builder grade breakers that are failing. Just replace them with a good brand. I avoid Square D breakers like they have the plague.

 

If they are popping with no one home and little being used, then there is a good possibility of a problem. It should not do that. Would definitely have a electrician look at it. Could be a loose connection or something in one of the item you have plugged into it.

 

do not upgrade with a 20 amp breaker.. you can have a 50 amp breaker and use 14 gauge wire..the weakest link would be the wire it would still be considered a 15 amp circuit. add up all the wattage of all that u have plugged in to that circuit and go from there. a breaker can only hold the max wattage for a short time before it pops.

 

That's why I said to:

If not, then don't do it! Pretty simple to me...........

 

if both the bedroom and computer room are on the same 15 amp breaker, that's you're problem...

A microwave takes a LOT of juice and combined with everything you said you need about 2 15 amp circuits...

call an electrician...

 

Separate breakers & the running the microwave doesn't pop it's breaker.

 

are the two breakers using a shared neutral wire?

 

Every time a breaker pops they become weaker, and since yours are popping about every two weeks then you need to replace them. They are cheap, just do it.

DO NOT PUT IN A BIGGER BREAKER THAN YOU TAKE OUT you're just asking for trouble.

Add up your wattage that you are using and see if you are maxing out the circuit, if you are move or remove something to lessen the load. If you can't move anything to another circuit, call an electrician to put you in a new circuit and it's own breaker.

 

+1 saved me from typing up just about the same thing

 

x3 replace with the same spec breaker.

almost sounds like you are getting surges into those circuits.

 

the house is only 2 years old and having these problems??? it should have a seperate 20 amp for the bath g.f.i and 2 20amp for the kitchen small appliance circuit...for every 600 square feet of living space should have a 15 amp receptacle/lighting circuit..living space meaning bedroom,den, living room etc...a whole house surge suppressor might do the trick..maybye you are getting voltage spikes. my house was built im 1910..the service was upgraded over the years but nobody bothered to add any circuits..i had to add 3 more when i bought it.

 

I agree with bucky and red too. I don't think this is anymore complicated than the electrician installed the cheapest breakers he could get. Replace them with good ones as they go out.

 

I'll check when I get home.