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How many branch circuits can be attached to the screw of a single pole 15 amp breaker?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Your question presumes that each connected wire would be a separate circuit. They are not.
However, you may place as many as 2 wires on a breaker, provided they are the same size and both either stranded or solid. Do not mix solid and stranded or different size conductors as this makes it likely that one wire will not be as tight as the other.
It is better practice, and in some local jurisdictions is required, to put only one wire on the breaker, run it to a junction box outside the panel, and branch from there. It eliminates confusion and the look of poor workmanship inside the panel, and it meets the requirements of the jurisdictions that do not allow you to do otherwise.
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The Canadian electrical code only allows one wire to be connected under the breaker's screw termination. The reasoning for this is that the installer can keep track of the exact amount of devices on the circuit and what section of the home the circuit services. A good reason to keep the breaker to one circuit is when trouble shooting the circuit, two circuits are not disconnected when the breaker is shut off.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
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Can you have two circuits off one breaker?
No, a breaker is designed to handle the load of only one circuit. Connecting two circuits to one breaker can overload the circuit and potentially lead to electrical hazards such as overheating, tripping the breaker, or causing a fire. Each circuit must have its own dedicated breaker.
How many watts will a 20 amp douple pole breaker handle?
The formulae for calculating watts to amps is Watts divided by Voltage. Therefore to get from Amps to Watts the calculation is Amps × Voltage. Therefore if you are working on a 240 volt supply the calculation is 20 (Amps) × 240 (Volts) which = 4800 watts.
Can you use two 15 amp single pole breakers in place of a double pole 30 amp breaker?
Yes. An everyday occurrence of this circuitry is in your kitchen counter split receptacles. The top half of the receptacle is a 15 amp circuit and from the same breaker the bottom half of the receptacle is another 15 amp circuit. A two pole single handle breaker is a common trip. If one of the circuits fed from the breaker faults the other connected circuit will shut off also. If you are talking about slot position in a breaker panel, you can remove the two pole breaker and install two single pole breakers.
What kind of a GE circuit breaker can you use in place of a GE tandem breaker?
A GE tandem breaker can be removed and replaced with a GE single pole breaker.
Is it safe to have two black wires two white wires and two ground wires on a single breaker?
Hopefully just the black wires are on the breaker. Two circuits on one breaker. Shouldn't be a problem. It would depend on how many outlets or lights were on the breaker in total. Even then, there is very little chance of something drawing current from every outlet at the same time. The only thing is you can't put two wires under one breaker (by code). You would have to wire nut them with a pig-tail then just put the one wire under the breaker.
Can you have two circuits off one breaker?
No, a breaker is designed to handle the load of only one circuit. Connecting two circuits to one breaker can overload the circuit and potentially lead to electrical hazards such as overheating, tripping the breaker, or causing a fire. Each circuit must have its own dedicated breaker.
Why would a switch on my distribution panel trip now and again when it's not actually wired up to anything?
Something that the breaker is wired to on the board has an intermittent short. <<>> It could be a case that you are looking at a two pole breaker that at one time was used on a three wire branch circuit. These circuits must disconnect both poles if a fault occurs on either circuit. It could be that one of the circuits was disconnected at some time prior and the one left on the breaker is in effect the cause of the breaker to trip. Without more information it is hard to tell. These types of three wire circuits usually feed kitchen counter receptacles. The next time the breaker trips check to see if it is a two pole breaker. If it is only a single breaker, for safety sake if there is nothing connected to the breaker, leave it in the off position as it may have an internal fault. In the future you may want to change it out for a new one. For more help just leave additional information on the discussion page, page link below.
How many watts will a 20 amp douple pole breaker handle?
The formulae for calculating watts to amps is Watts divided by Voltage. Therefore to get from Amps to Watts the calculation is Amps × Voltage. Therefore if you are working on a 240 volt supply the calculation is 20 (Amps) × 240 (Volts) which = 4800 watts.
Can you use two 15 amp single pole breakers in place of a double pole 30 amp breaker?
Yes. An everyday occurrence of this circuitry is in your kitchen counter split receptacles. The top half of the receptacle is a 15 amp circuit and from the same breaker the bottom half of the receptacle is another 15 amp circuit. A two pole single handle breaker is a common trip. If one of the circuits fed from the breaker faults the other connected circuit will shut off also. If you are talking about slot position in a breaker panel, you can remove the two pole breaker and install two single pole breakers.
Is Michelle Branch single?
No, Michelle Branch is not single.
How many eletrcal outlets can you have in a garage?
There is no limit as to the amount of circuits you can have in a garage. If you mean how many devices on a 15 amp single circuit breaker then the answer is 12. Be sure to total in light fixture outlets and switch boxes.
What kind of a GE circuit breaker can you use in place of a GE tandem breaker?
A GE tandem breaker can be removed and replaced with a GE single pole breaker.
Is it safe to have two black wires two white wires and two ground wires on a single breaker?
Hopefully just the black wires are on the breaker. Two circuits on one breaker. Shouldn't be a problem. It would depend on how many outlets or lights were on the breaker in total. Even then, there is very little chance of something drawing current from every outlet at the same time. The only thing is you can't put two wires under one breaker (by code). You would have to wire nut them with a pig-tail then just put the one wire under the breaker.
Have existing a 125 amp main need more breakers spaces?
You can swap a single breaker for two mini breakers or you can add a sub-panel. If you only need a couple of extra circuits then just add mini-breakers.
Can one single pole switch be used to activate two separate motors on separate circuits?
Basically, No. For them to be on separate circuits, they could not be switched on one pole. If you could, they would be on the same circuit. If you joined the wires from both circuits in this way, you would circumvent the purpose of the circuit breaker, violate code, and create a fire hazard. On the other hand, it could possibly be done using a couple relays but that is not a simple solution either. Also, depending on what exactly you are doing, a sub-panel for both circuits could be installed off the main breaker and basically create two "sub" circuits. you would have to make sure they are rated correctly. Please consult a Electrician with more detail about what you are trying to do before attempting anything. <<>> If you could substitute the single pole switch for a double pole switch this would solve your problem. The throw of the switch would cause your two circuits to become energized.
Can you run an extra set of wires off a 20 amp breaker?
No, this is stated very clearly in the electrical code. Only one branch circuit is to be allowed connected to each individual circuit breaker no matter what the amperage is. If a new branch circuit is installed and there are no spare breakers then most distribution panels have the ability to let tandem breaker be installed in it. Tandem breakers have two terminals and two handles and have the ability to fit into a single slot in the distribution panel.
Should you buy double pole breaker or single pole?
Use of a double pole breaker or a single pole breaker depends entirely on the application. If you don't know about the application, contact a qualified electrician in your area.
