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No, the number on the handle of the breaker is the maximum amount of amperage the breaker will handle before it trips. A two pole breaker is handling 240 volts. A single pole breaker handles 120 volts. Each of the "hot" wires from the two pole breaker has a potential of 120 volts to the neutral wire, but 240 volts from one "hot" wire to the other "hot" wire.

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11y ago
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13y ago

Yes and no. Your electric panel has two bus bars. Each supplies 120 VAC. If you measure the voltage across these two buses you get 230-240 VAC. The buses are staggered top to bottom such that each breaker, top to bottom, alternates which of the buses they connect to.

A 2-pole breaker would typically be use for 230-240 VAC service, but could be used for two 120 VAC circuits. However, in the latter case if either of the 120 VAC circuits tripped, both would trip.

In the case of two single pole breakers, it would depend if they were connected to each bus or the same bus. However if used for a 230-240 VAC service you would want both to trip if either side tripped. This is done by joining together the handles of each breaker stacked on above the other in panel.

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12y ago

No, it gives 240V 15Amps, and if you split it, it gives 120V 15Amps... twice.

When you split it, the circuits will be 180 degrees out of phase with each other, so you cannot put the wires together to result in 30 Amps.

Do not attempt electrical modification without fully understanding what you are doing. If you have any questions or concerns, contact a qualified electrician.

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12y ago

In a typical residential electric panel there are two bus bars staggered such that there is 240 volts between adjacent breakers. A double pole breaker spans two slots and the voltage between its poles is 240 volts, with each voltage to common being 120 volts.

The only context where 15 Amp breakers would be down stream of the 30 Amp breaker would be a subpanel application or a device with its own built in breakers. It is acceptable to have lower amperage breakers connected to the 30 amp breaker, but you need to know what you are doing so that you do not apply 240 volts to a 120 volt device.

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Q: Can a 30 amp double pole breaker be used to supply 15 amp breakers?
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Can double pole circuit breakers be changed into single to create more room in the pannel box?

Yes. The double pole breaker can be removed and replaced with two single pole breakers. The double pole breakers are only used for 240 volt supply loads.


Can a 220 VAC breaker be single pole or does it have to always be a double pole breaker?

U.S. 240 VAC breakers are always double pole since they are protecting two legs of the circuit.


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.


Does a double 50 amp breaker make a 100 amp?

No, a double pole 50 amp breaker protects a 240 volt supply at 50 amps. The number that is on the handle of the breaker is the amperage that the breaker will trip at if an overload occurs on the circuit.


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.

Related questions

Can double pole circuit breakers be changed into single to create more room in the pannel box?

Yes. The double pole breaker can be removed and replaced with two single pole breakers. The double pole breakers are only used for 240 volt supply loads.


Can a 220 VAC breaker be single pole or does it have to always be a double pole breaker?

U.S. 240 VAC breakers are always double pole since they are protecting two legs of the circuit.


Is a double throw 15amp breaker the same as a 30 amp breaker amp?

You have a double pole breaker for 240Volt supply. The maximum current is 15 amp.


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.


Why would a 30A-250V outlet still have power with breaker off?

It sounds like the breaker is unserviceable. Seeing as it supplies 240 volt outlet it must be a two pole breaker. If it is a single handle two pole breaker then one pole set inside the breaker is not disconnecting one of the lines. If it is supplied from two single pole breakers that has a common tie, the common tie might be loose and does not shut off both poles when thrown to the off position. If there is no common tie then both breakers must be turned off to interrupt the 240 volt supply.


Does a double 50 amp breaker make a 100 amp?

No, a double pole 50 amp breaker protects a 240 volt supply at 50 amps. The number that is on the handle of the breaker is the amperage that the breaker will trip at if an overload occurs on the circuit.


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.


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.


Is there a substitute 15A single pole breaker for the old commander breakers?

I've been in the trade 35 years. what is a commander breaker?


How do you change one breaker on a 3 wire that feeds two regular circuit breakers to a single arc fault circuit breaker - or do you have to change both breakers to arc fault so each has a neutral?

You can't change the one breaker, but you can't use two separate arc fault breakers unless you separate the neutrals. However double pole arc fault breakers are made for this purpose and the common neutral would be O.K.


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.


How do you install and wire a dryer outlet if there is no room for a new 30 amp breaker?

If your breaker box will accept tandom breakers you can remove 4 single pole breakers add 2 tandoms this will empty 2 spaces for your 2 pole 30 amp for the dryer