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If it was two wires under one screw on a single-pole breaker, that would not be proper, and most probably against electrical code.

If it was two wires, each under their own screw on a double-pole breaker, then that would be a 220 volt circuit; each wire going to its own "leg" of the breaker panel.

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Q: Found 2 wires on a single circuit breaker why?
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Christmas light are causing the 15amp circuit breaker to trip and Circuit Panel is full Can I upgrade to a twin circuit breaker without installing a subpanel?

Your only hope is that someone wired the box not to code and that there are two wires going into the offending breaker. If you can't separate wires you can't distribute the load.


What does the conductor in a circuit do?

A conductor carries the voltage potential from the source to the load, i.e. the wires from a circuit breaker to a light.


A small appliance circuit will be protected by a circuit breaker rated at?

Yes, it will be protected by a circuit breaker or fuse. The normal rating of the circuit breaker or fuse is 25% more than the maximum current expected, or the maximum current allowed for the cable size, whichever is lower.


Circuit breaker trip cause smoke will homeowner insurance pay for it?

A circuit breaker does not "cause" smoke. A circuit breaker "breaks" a circuit when there is too much current, creating a hazardous condition for the wires that are connected to the circuit breaker. The circuit breaker PROTECTS you from electrical fire. Find the source of the smoke; what burned? If a circuit breaker tripped during the incident, it is usually caused by melting/burning wire insulation, either inside or outside of an appliance. If the insulation inside the walls of your house has burned/melted, it could be that the circuit breaker was too large for the wire or that the circuit breaker failed to shut off at the appropriate current load. If the circuit breaker failed, your insurance should help you. If an appliance overloaded the circuit, your insurance should help you. If someone connected an oversized circuit breaker, causing the wire to overheat, your insurance company may refuse to help you.


How many wires are used for a 460 volt circuit breaker?

If the load is single phase and the load requires 460 volts to operate, then two conductors will be needed and they will connect to a two pole breaker. If the load is three phase and the load requires 460 volts to operate, then three conductors will be needed and they will connected to a three pole breaker. The sizing of the wires will depend upon the current that is drawn by the loads.

Related questions

How do circuit breaker keep the wires in a electrical circuit from overheating?

A circuit breaker is designed to 'break' in a circuit if a short circuit (or other malfunction) occurs. This prevents overheating (or burn-out) of the circuit wires. In older systems, you would need to find which fuse wire has fused and replace it. In a circuit breaker, once the fault has been found and corrected, the breaker is simply switched back on.


Must wires be connected to breaker box?

It should be connected to circuit breaker. Circuit breaker will automatically discontinue the flow of electricity if it detects faulty condition.


Christmas light are causing the 15amp circuit breaker to trip and Circuit Panel is full Can I upgrade to a twin circuit breaker without installing a subpanel?

Your only hope is that someone wired the box not to code and that there are two wires going into the offending breaker. If you can't separate wires you can't distribute the load.


What does the conductor in a circuit do?

A conductor carries the voltage potential from the source to the load, i.e. the wires from a circuit breaker to a light.


A small appliance circuit will be protected by a circuit breaker rated at?

Yes, it will be protected by a circuit breaker or fuse. The normal rating of the circuit breaker or fuse is 25% more than the maximum current expected, or the maximum current allowed for the cable size, whichever is lower.


What does a circuit breaker do in a circuit?

Creates an open circuit in the event that the circuit becomes overloaded. It's a protection feature, preventing melting wires, damage to electrical components, and fires.


What is the Function of circuit breaker?

The purpose of a circuit breaker is to open the circuit in the event of an overload. Wires/conductors are only rated for a specific Amperage. If this amperage is exceeded the conductor/wire begins to heat up and given enough time it becomes a fire hazard. For instance a 15 amp breaker will trip once the Amps drawn through that circuit exceed 15 amps. The short answer is to keep you safe.


Circuit breaker trip cause smoke will homeowner insurance pay for it?

A circuit breaker does not "cause" smoke. A circuit breaker "breaks" a circuit when there is too much current, creating a hazardous condition for the wires that are connected to the circuit breaker. The circuit breaker PROTECTS you from electrical fire. Find the source of the smoke; what burned? If a circuit breaker tripped during the incident, it is usually caused by melting/burning wire insulation, either inside or outside of an appliance. If the insulation inside the walls of your house has burned/melted, it could be that the circuit breaker was too large for the wire or that the circuit breaker failed to shut off at the appropriate current load. If the circuit breaker failed, your insurance should help you. If an appliance overloaded the circuit, your insurance should help you. If someone connected an oversized circuit breaker, causing the wire to overheat, your insurance company may refuse to help you.


What type of circuit breaker is required for a 240 v branch circuit?

the circuit breaker used will be miniature circuit breaker(MCB) maily used in homes.Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hertz supply service.A two pole circuit breaker is used for a load of 240 volts. It is sized, according to the load amps of the device, to protect the wires that supply the load current.


How does a circuit breaker help protect against short circuits and circuit overloads?

Quite simply, so you don't put too much current on the wires than they can handle. They also provide protection from 'ground faults', which is when the 'hot' and neutral wires touch. This causes a spike of current (because the resistance drops to near zero) and the breaker senses that too, or it should when it functions properly.


What could you put over wires that doesn't break electrical circuits?

Insulation can be put over wires to prevent short circuit breaker trips.


How many wires are used for a 460 volt circuit breaker?

If the load is single phase and the load requires 460 volts to operate, then two conductors will be needed and they will connect to a two pole breaker. If the load is three phase and the load requires 460 volts to operate, then three conductors will be needed and they will connected to a three pole breaker. The sizing of the wires will depend upon the current that is drawn by the loads.