Disclaimer: I DO intend to have an electrician do all this work for me.

I'm a new home owner and I'm slowly getting some power tools here and there. I've noticed that some of them require 15A in order to work properly.

Now, I'm no expert in the electrical field but from what I see on my panel, every breaker has a 10kA writing on them which tells me it's 10A and not 15A. Therefore I was starting to question the necessity to update it. Even more so when I see the lights flashing when my GF uses her curling iron or the hair dryer. Now I'm worried it could affect all of my appliances.

Should I have it updated for a 15A or 20A (if that even exists)? What does it imply? How much am I looking for in terms of price?

I live in Quebec, Canada and my house was built in 1977 (if that information matters).

Thanks for your guidance 🙌

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Duke-Kaboom t1_j13nndr wrote on December 21, 2022 at 12:59 PM

#994,093

You are slightly confused my friend.

10 KA is the interrupting capacity of the breaker. Not the amperage rating of the breaker.

The smallest residential breaker you can get is a 15A breaker, so you do not have 10A fuses.

funwithdesign t1_j13o08y wrote on December 21, 2022 at 1:03 PM

#994,114

Residential outlets are all 15A with a few exceptions for 20A receptacles.

Putting higher amperage breakers in for outlets is not safe and won’t solve your flickering issue.

I would get an electrician to come and look at the system.

Business_Ad_1459 t1_j13o5dk wrote on December 21, 2022 at 1:04 PM

#994,124

I got a good recommendation for an electrician and he came to my house and gave me recommendations based on the exact panel I have. Apparently some older panels the companies are still in business, so you can use them for a long time, but others he recommends replacing. So I’d get a recommendation from a couple local folks and see what they say - Key is to find someone who you know is pretty good and Won’t be trying to upsell you

OutragedBubinga OP t1_j140i6u wrote on December 21, 2022 at 2:44 PM

#995,061

Replying to Duke-Kaboom (#994,093)

Thanks for the clarification. I am indeed confused since I don't know much about those.

OutragedBubinga OP t1_j140jw2 wrote on December 21, 2022 at 2:44 PM

#995,066

Replying to funwithdesign (#994,114)

Thank you!

OutragedBubinga OP t1_j140psg wrote on December 21, 2022 at 2:45 PM

#995,082

Replying to Business_Ad_1459 (#994,124)

I have a few electrician clients I could contact. Let's hope they come to my area.

Thanks for you input :)

TheFishBanjo t1_j14gxtn wrote on December 21, 2022 at 4:34 PM

#996,278

Replying to Duke-Kaboom (#994,093)

If you run your tablesaw into some thick wood while your shop vac is running (on the same branch circuit), you may see the (incandescent) lights dim or even trip a breaker. Sometimes you have a couple of outlets on different branches so you can pull different equipment into different places to help get by for a while.

Usually, your panel has some unfilled spots where additional branches (and circuit breakers) can be added. You might want to "get ahead of the curve" by adding some outlets for your equipment. In that case, get 20A breakers and run the heavier wire for 20A service (it is yellow sheathing instead of white). Get the corresponding 20A receptables which have a little difference in where the prongs go in to remind you. Of course, you can label the faceplate as 20A.

I like having extension cords hanging down from the basement shop ceiling so I added outlets high. My shop area is small and I have machines on wheels that I roll in and out of places. Outlets that are behind benches and tool chests are difficult to use.