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Two pole what? Switch, breaker? 2 pole does just that. Either switches two separate sources like different legs of a 220 volt circuit or switches both the hot and neutral in a 120 volt circuit or plus and minus in a 12 volt circuit or a two pole breaker takes 2 separate 120v legs in a home breaker panel. Each leg of 120 volt breaker panel is 120 volts to ground and 240 volts between them. The electricity entering your house looks like a sine wave with each leg being 180 degrees out of phase from the other. The double pole breaker takes each separate leg to the device it is powering and provides 240 volts.

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Q: How does a 20 amp double pole work?
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Can you use a double pole 15 amp breaker in place of a 20 amp single pole breaker for a 12000 BTU air conditioner?

If the 12,000 BTU A/C only requires 20 amps to run then yes you can use the same 12 gauge wire but you cannot change it to a 15 amp breaker. You will need to install a 20 amp double pole breaker. If it requires more than 20 amps you will have to replace the wiring and breaker.


Why would you need a 20 Amp Single Pole Switch insted of a 15 Amp?

If the wire to the switch is AWG #12 you need a 20 amp switch because it is a 20 amp circuit.


Can 10-2 wire be used for an outlet?

Yes you can. The existing 30 amp breaker on the two conductor #10 wire will have to be changed out to a two pole 20 amp breaker. The reason for this change out is that the new 20 amp outlet is only rated at 20 amps maximum. If the 30 amp breaker were left feeding the 20 amp device, It would be unsafe as it is 10 amps higher that the manufacturer's specifications of maximum amperage handling capacity of a 20 amp device.If the 30 amp circuit is only 120 volts, the neutral will have to be lifted from the neutral bar of that circuit and that will be the second wire that will be connected to the new two pole 20 amp breaker. This action will give you 240 volts across the new 20 amp outlet.


Why would i need a 20-Amp Single-Pole Switch insted of a 15 Amp?

You would need a 20 amp switch when the load controlled by the switch can draw as much as 20 amps. If you have a 20 Amp breaker supplying the circuit then you need to size all switches and outlets on that circuit to 20 amps.


What size breaker to use for a hand dryer its 120v 20amps?

Single pole 20 amp breaker.

Related questions

Can a double pole circuit breaker be used for 2 different circuits I have a 20 amp double pole breaker want 2 circuits running 14 gauge wire?

can a 20 amp double pole circuit breaker be used for 2 different 120 v circuits using 14 - 2 wire


Can you use a double pole 15 amp breaker in place of a 20 amp single pole breaker for a 12000 BTU air conditioner?

If the 12,000 BTU A/C only requires 20 amps to run then yes you can use the same 12 gauge wire but you cannot change it to a 15 amp breaker. You will need to install a 20 amp double pole breaker. If it requires more than 20 amps you will have to replace the wiring and breaker.


Why would you need a 20 Amp Single Pole Switch insted of a 15 Amp?

If the wire to the switch is AWG #12 you need a 20 amp switch because it is a 20 amp circuit.


Do you need a 20 amp single or double pole breaker for your washer?

Washing machines in the U.S. operate on 120 volts. That requires a single pole 20 amp breaker and wired with 12/2 w-ground wire. Black to the breaker, white to the neutral bus bar, and copper ground to the ground bus bar.


What amp breaker for 12-2?

AWG 12/2 requires the use of a 20 amp single pole breaker.


Can 10-2 wire be used for an outlet?

Yes you can. The existing 30 amp breaker on the two conductor #10 wire will have to be changed out to a two pole 20 amp breaker. The reason for this change out is that the new 20 amp outlet is only rated at 20 amps maximum. If the 30 amp breaker were left feeding the 20 amp device, It would be unsafe as it is 10 amps higher that the manufacturer's specifications of maximum amperage handling capacity of a 20 amp device.If the 30 amp circuit is only 120 volts, the neutral will have to be lifted from the neutral bar of that circuit and that will be the second wire that will be connected to the new two pole 20 amp breaker. This action will give you 240 volts across the new 20 amp outlet.


Is it safe to replace a 20 amp 2 pole 120 vac with a 20 amp 2 pole 125 vac circuit interrupter?

Not a problem. The higher voltage rating of the interrupter just says it is safe and has been tested at that voltage.


Why would i need a 20-Amp Single-Pole Switch insted of a 15 Amp?

You would need a 20 amp switch when the load controlled by the switch can draw as much as 20 amps. If you have a 20 Amp breaker supplying the circuit then you need to size all switches and outlets on that circuit to 20 amps.


Can your 30 amp generator pull a double 20 amp circuit?

When the term "double 20 amp circuit" is used, the presumption is that, it is 20 amps at 240 volts. If your generator has the breaker built in then, yes, you have the capacity to run 240 volt devices from your generator.


What size breaker to use for a hand dryer its 120v 20amps?

Single pole 20 amp breaker.


How do you wire 15amp 230v woodworking machine. 10agw or 12agw wire and type of outlet. Into a 15amp or 20amp breaker?

A 20 amp circuit with #12 gauge wire will work in any event but if the nameplate recommends a 15 amp circuit then #14 gauge wire on a 15 amp circuit is sufficient. In either case you will have a double pole breaker and your equipment may not require a neutral. Always run a grounding conductor.


Can a double pole 20 amp breaker be used with 12-2 wire for a single 220 circuit?

The term "double pole" usually means a breaker with 2 handles that attaches in the space as a normal single pole breaker. If this is what you mean, no, you cannot. There is no potential, or voltage, between the wire terminals. If by "double pole" you mean what is usually called a 2-pole breaker, which is a breaker with 2 handles that attaches in the space of 2 single pole breakers, then yes, you can use this breaker and 12/2 wire to produce a 220v circuit.