answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

What governs the type of breaker is the voltage and wattage of the heater elements. If the tank is 120V then you would only use one breaker. The size of the breaker you use will depend on the watts of the element. Watts = amps x volts, Amps = Watts/ volts. Once you establish the amperage then size the wire and the breaker to fit. If the tank is 240V the same rules apply only you would use a 2 pole breaker. IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS. If you do this work yourself, always turn off the power at the breaker box/fuse panel BEFORE you attempt to do any work AND always use a meter or voltage indicator

to insure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Should a hot water heater be put on a 30 single or 30 double amp breaker?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Electrical Engineering

What is the difference between a single pole breaker and a double pole breaker?

Courtesy of Ace Hardware - I found it on their site · What is the difference between a double pole and a single pole thermostat?Single pole thermostats breaks only one side of the power line to your heater and cannot be turned off. Therefore, power is continuous to the heater even if it is not running. The control knob will have a low temperature setting without an off position. Single pole Thermostats uses only two wires. This means that even if the temperature dial is turned all the way down, voltage is still going into the heater through one line. This may pose a hazard to anyone who might perform electrical work on the heater without realizing that the circuit was still on. You will need to turn off the power at the circuit breaker before electrical repairs can be made safely.Double pole thermostats breaks both sides of the power line; therefore all power to the heater is interrupted. This acts as a safeguard for people performing electrical work on the heater. However, to be on the safe side, you should always turn off the power at the circuit breaker, not at the thermostat, before making any electrical repairs. A double pole will uses four wires and has a off position on the thermostat.Since they are inherently safer, you should always try to use double-pole thermostats, if possible. Another advantage of a double-pole thermostat is that you can turn it completely off and the heat will not come on no matter how cold your room gets. But with a single-pole unit, the thermostat will turn the heat on even if set on the lowest setting.CHECK YOUR LOCAL CODES FOR BUILDING REQUIREMENTS IN DETERMINING IF YOU NEED A SINGLE OR DOUBLE POLE THERMOSTAT BEFORE PURCHASING OR INSTALLING. How can I determine if I have a single or double pole thermostat?Usually, you can tell the difference between a single pole and double-pole thermostat by looking at the dial. A double-pole normally has an "Off" position on the dial whereas a single-pole thermostat does not. The only sure way to tell which kind you have is to remove it from the wall and count the wires connected to it. A double-pole thermostat will have four wires that switches both hot wires whereas a single-pole thermostat will have two wires that only switches one of the hot wires. Can I use a single or double pole thermostat with a 120, 208, or 240 volt heater?Yes. Can I use 1 thermostat to control more than 1 baseboard heater?Built-in thermostats (mounted directly on baseboard) are designed for single heater use. However, it is possible to control more than 1 heater on a wall thermostat if the thermostat rating is not exceeded. Can I mount the thermostat on one side and wire the baseboard heater on the opposite side?No, the thermostat requires power from the supply wires and must be wired in conjunction with the baseboard heater. Is a built-in or a wall mount thermostat better?A built-in control is convenient when the walls are already finished. The built-in thermostat is also convenient to install. However, the wall thermostat is a more accurate way to control the room temperature, is more convenient to use, and has a broader selection of models. The use of electronic thermostats provides more accuracy and saves you money on your electric bill. Can all of the heaters in my house be controlled by one thermostat?There are many benefits to zonal heating. Zonal systems save energy by not heating unoccupied rooms and provide the ultimate in comfort by allowing occupied zones to be heated specifically to individual needs. The purpose of each zone's (room) heater is to heat that specific zone per the set point of the individual thermostat. What is the difference between a low voltage and a line voltage thermostat?Low voltage thermostats should be used when the heater load is greater than 3,800 watts such as commercial heater or central forced air systems.Line voltage thermostats should be used for zonal heat systems such as electric fan heaters, baseboard heaters and radiant heaters. What should I do if my wall thermostat feels hot to the touch?Cadet recommends you replace the thermostat. A hot thermostat indicates that it is not working efficiently; decreasing its accuracy. NOTE: A normal operating thermostat will be slightly warmer than the room temperature by 3 to 5 degrees. Can I use a wall mount thermostat to control my heater if it has an in-built thermostat?Yes, to bypass the in-built thermostat, turn the thermostat on the heater to the highest setting, then use the wall thermostat to regulate the room temperature.


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.


What circuit breaker will interchange with American Switch Company?

Replacement for American Switch single pole 15 amp circuit breaker


How do you convert a single breaker box with a 220 amp breaker supplying a hot tub to a 110 volt 30 amp breaker supplying an outlet?

: Replace the main panel breaker feeding the subpanel with a 30 amp breaker if it is currently larger (50A typical). Then you should be able to change your subpanel's 2 pole breaker to a couple of single pole 30A breakers. Use one of the single 30's for your 30A receptacle.: : : : IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB : SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY : REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS. : If you do this work yourself, always turn off the power at the breaker box/fuse panel BEFORE you attempt to do any work AND always use an electrician's test meter having metal-tipped probes (not a simple proximity voltage indicator) to insure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.

Related questions

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.


Double pole or single pole hot water heater thermostat?

Single pole.


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.


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.


Does a camper use a single or double breaker?

It could be either. If it has any heavy appliances like a stove it might require 220-240 which would be a double.


What is the cost of a miniature circuit breaker?

In the US a miniature circuit breaker, sold in a single unit, is about 15$, about the same as a regular breaker. If sold as a double unit, meaning two mini breakers installed into one housing, then it is about 25$.


How do you define a pole in circuit breaker?

A pole In a circut breaker refers to the number of circuts it controls, single pole only controls one, double controls 2 at same time


What is the difference between a single pole breaker and a double pole breaker?

Courtesy of Ace Hardware - I found it on their site · What is the difference between a double pole and a single pole thermostat?Single pole thermostats breaks only one side of the power line to your heater and cannot be turned off. Therefore, power is continuous to the heater even if it is not running. The control knob will have a low temperature setting without an off position. Single pole Thermostats uses only two wires. This means that even if the temperature dial is turned all the way down, voltage is still going into the heater through one line. This may pose a hazard to anyone who might perform electrical work on the heater without realizing that the circuit was still on. You will need to turn off the power at the circuit breaker before electrical repairs can be made safely.Double pole thermostats breaks both sides of the power line; therefore all power to the heater is interrupted. This acts as a safeguard for people performing electrical work on the heater. However, to be on the safe side, you should always turn off the power at the circuit breaker, not at the thermostat, before making any electrical repairs. A double pole will uses four wires and has a off position on the thermostat.Since they are inherently safer, you should always try to use double-pole thermostats, if possible. Another advantage of a double-pole thermostat is that you can turn it completely off and the heat will not come on no matter how cold your room gets. But with a single-pole unit, the thermostat will turn the heat on even if set on the lowest setting.CHECK YOUR LOCAL CODES FOR BUILDING REQUIREMENTS IN DETERMINING IF YOU NEED A SINGLE OR DOUBLE POLE THERMOSTAT BEFORE PURCHASING OR INSTALLING. How can I determine if I have a single or double pole thermostat?Usually, you can tell the difference between a single pole and double-pole thermostat by looking at the dial. A double-pole normally has an "Off" position on the dial whereas a single-pole thermostat does not. The only sure way to tell which kind you have is to remove it from the wall and count the wires connected to it. A double-pole thermostat will have four wires that switches both hot wires whereas a single-pole thermostat will have two wires that only switches one of the hot wires. Can I use a single or double pole thermostat with a 120, 208, or 240 volt heater?Yes. Can I use 1 thermostat to control more than 1 baseboard heater?Built-in thermostats (mounted directly on baseboard) are designed for single heater use. However, it is possible to control more than 1 heater on a wall thermostat if the thermostat rating is not exceeded. Can I mount the thermostat on one side and wire the baseboard heater on the opposite side?No, the thermostat requires power from the supply wires and must be wired in conjunction with the baseboard heater. Is a built-in or a wall mount thermostat better?A built-in control is convenient when the walls are already finished. The built-in thermostat is also convenient to install. However, the wall thermostat is a more accurate way to control the room temperature, is more convenient to use, and has a broader selection of models. The use of electronic thermostats provides more accuracy and saves you money on your electric bill. Can all of the heaters in my house be controlled by one thermostat?There are many benefits to zonal heating. Zonal systems save energy by not heating unoccupied rooms and provide the ultimate in comfort by allowing occupied zones to be heated specifically to individual needs. The purpose of each zone's (room) heater is to heat that specific zone per the set point of the individual thermostat. What is the difference between a low voltage and a line voltage thermostat?Low voltage thermostats should be used when the heater load is greater than 3,800 watts such as commercial heater or central forced air systems.Line voltage thermostats should be used for zonal heat systems such as electric fan heaters, baseboard heaters and radiant heaters. What should I do if my wall thermostat feels hot to the touch?Cadet recommends you replace the thermostat. A hot thermostat indicates that it is not working efficiently; decreasing its accuracy. NOTE: A normal operating thermostat will be slightly warmer than the room temperature by 3 to 5 degrees. Can I use a wall mount thermostat to control my heater if it has an in-built thermostat?Yes, to bypass the in-built thermostat, turn the thermostat on the heater to the highest setting, then use the wall thermostat to regulate the room temperature.


Found 2 wires on a single circuit breaker why?

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.


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.


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.


What might be wrong if your furnace dryer water heater and well are on a 240V and they all have juice but nothing will turn on?

Check voltage on top side of breaker each leg to ground should read 110 if not check main fuses on incoming side to be sure 220 is present,then check secondary side of fuses 220 line to line 110 from line to ground.I think you will find that one leg is open. Did you use a 1 inch double breaker by chance.You need to use regular double pole breakers so you get volts from both phases,The skinny double breakers are the same width as a single 1 inch breaker but they are running off one phase and that would cause your problem.