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

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


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.


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


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.


How do you tell a single pole breaker from a double pole breaker?

AnswerAccording to my husband, all sockets are double pole, single and double pole refer to switches. Hope that helps. Double pole isolates both neutral and live, single pole only isolates live, double is better, but single is cheaper. DP-switched sockets have only become commonplace in relatively recent times anyway, marketed on yet another "increased safety" angle when there was never any safety problem with SP to begin with.

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.


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.


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


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 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.


How do you tell a single pole breaker from a double pole breaker?

AnswerAccording to my husband, all sockets are double pole, single and double pole refer to switches. Hope that helps. Double pole isolates both neutral and live, single pole only isolates live, double is better, but single is cheaper. DP-switched sockets have only become commonplace in relatively recent times anyway, marketed on yet another "increased safety" angle when there was never any safety problem with SP to begin with.


Can a double pole 15 amp breaker help?

No. In North America a double pole breaker is used to obtain a voltage of 240 volts from the distribution panel. What ever the amperage rating stamped on the handle of the breaker is, that is the amperage that the breaker will trip at.


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.


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.


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.


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 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.