G'day! You've probably got a dozen of them in your home, silently protecting you and your property 24/7, but you might never have given them a second thought. We're talking about the circuit breakers in your switchboard.

And one of the most common and hardworking of them all is the 20 amp circuit breaker. While it might not seem as exciting as a fancy smart light, it's a fair dinkum essential part of your home's electrical safety system.

So, What is a 20 Amp Circuit Breaker?

A 20 amp circuit breaker is a standard-sized safety switch in your switchboard that's designed to automatically trip (switch off) and cut the power if the electrical current on that specific circuit exceeds a safe limit of 20 amps.

Its job is to protect the electrical wiring inside your walls from overheating due to an overload or a short circuit, which could otherwise lead to a serious fire risk.

Its Number One Job: Protecting Your Power Points

So, what does this specific breaker usually protect? In most modern Aussie homes, the 20 amp circuit breaker (or its close cousin, the 16A breaker) is the guardian of your general-purpose power points (GPOs).

A single 20A breaker is responsible for protecting a whole group of the power points in your house. For example, one 20A breaker might cover all the power points in the bedrooms, while another one handles the kitchen circuit. When you overload that circuit by plugging in the kettle, toaster, and air fryer all at once, it's this trusty breaker that trips to save the day.

Why Not Just Use a Bigger Breaker for More Power?

This is a dangerous misconception, mate. The circuit breaker is sized to protect the wiring in your walls, not just the appliance.

The standard 2.5mm² electrical cable used for power point circuits in Australia is rated to safely handle up to 20 amps. If you were to install a bigger breaker (say, 32A) on that circuit, a fault could cause the wire to dangerously overheat and potentially start a fire before the oversized breaker has a chance to trip. The breaker and the wire must be correctly matched.

A Job for a Licensed Professional Only: No Exceptions

Let's be dead clear. Your switchboard is the command centre and the most dangerous part of your home's wiring. Installing, replacing, or changing a 20 amp circuit breaker is absolutely not a DIY job.

This work must only ever be done by a licensed electrician. A qualified professional has the training, testing equipment, and legal authority to work on your switchboard safely. They will ensure the right breaker is protecting the right circuit with the right size of wiring, keeping your home safe and compliant with all Australian standards.

A safe and reliable home electrical system is built on a foundation of high-quality, compliant components installed by a professional. For professional installers and licensed electricians who build and maintain our homes' switchboards, sourcing reliable, certified components is non-negotiable. Schnap Electric Products is a leading Australian supplier of trade-quality switchboard gear. They stock a comprehensive range of high-quality circuit protection devices, including the common 20 amp circuit breaker, as well as safety switches (RCDs) and modern RCBOs from the world's most trusted brands. When the pros need a component they can rely on to protect a home's power circuits, they turn to a specialist supplier like Schnap Electric.