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A single phase circuit uses a 2 pole breaker if the circuit is 120/240 split phase and the load is connected 240. Both legs are hot, so both need to be protected. This is the normal US/Canada configuration.

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13y ago
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14y ago

Yes, but you only make the connection to one pole of the two pole breaker.

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Q: Can you use a 2 pole breaker for a 120 volt single phase circuit?
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What is 4 pole circuit breaker?

I have never seen a four pole circuit breaker. Breakers are single, two and three pole. Single pole for 120 volts, two pole for 240 volts and three pole for three phase loads. In North America all neutrals are SN (solid neutrals) and are not switched. In certain applications using a three phase Y-connected load, where complete isolation of the load from the supply is required, the neutral line connects to one pole of a 4 pole circuit breaker.


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.


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.


What breaker will interchange with American Switch Company?

Replacement for American Switch single pole 15 amp circuit breaker


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

Related questions

What difference between using 4poles circuit breaker and using 3 single pole breakers?

3 pole would be for 3 phase, 4 pole would be 3 phase & neutral


What is 4 pole circuit breaker?

I have never seen a four pole circuit breaker. Breakers are single, two and three pole. Single pole for 120 volts, two pole for 240 volts and three pole for three phase loads. In North America all neutrals are SN (solid neutrals) and are not switched. In certain applications using a three phase Y-connected load, where complete isolation of the load from the supply is required, the neutral line connects to one pole of a 4 pole circuit breaker.


What circuit breaker will interchange with American Switch Company?

Replacement for American Switch single pole 15 amp circuit breaker


What is the difference between single pole mcb and double pole mcb?

A single pole circuit breaker can protect one hot wire to a given load where as a two pole circuit breaker can protect two hot wires to a given load. In the North American system this would equate to 120 volts on a single pole circuit breaker and 240 volts on a two pole circuit breaker.


Is there continuity between a three pole circuit breaker terminals?

No, the three individual poles of a three phase circuit breaker are not electrically connected to each other. If they were, a fault would develop internal to the breaker.


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.


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.


What breaker will interchange with American Switch Company?

Replacement for American Switch single pole 15 amp circuit breaker


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.


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 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.


Can you connect a 2 pole load to 2 single pole breakers?

Yes, but the handles should be linked together so if only one breaker trips (phase to ground short) it will kill both poles of the circuit.