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Two pole what? Switch, breaker? 2 pole does just that. Either switches two separate sources like different legs of a 220 volt circuit or switches both the hot and neutral in a 120 volt circuit or plus and minus in a 12 volt circuit or a two pole breaker takes 2 separate 120v legs in a home breaker panel. Each leg of 120 volt breaker panel is 120 volts to ground and 240 volts between them. The electricity entering your house looks like a sine wave with each leg being 180 degrees out of phase from the other. The double pole breaker takes each separate leg to the device it is powering and provides 240 volts.

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βˆ™ 14y ago
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βˆ™ 6mo ago

A 20 amp double pole breaker is used to protect 240-volt circuits. It connects to both hot bus bars in the electrical panel, providing two 120-volt lines that work together to create 240 volts. This configuration is commonly used for larger appliances like electric dryers and ranges.

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Q: How does a 20 amp double pole work?
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Can you use a double pole 15 amp breaker in place of a 20 amp single pole breaker for a 12000 BTU air conditioner?

No, it is not safe to use a double pole 15 amp breaker in place of a 20 amp single pole breaker for a 12000 BTU air conditioner. The breaker size must match the electrical requirements of the appliance to prevent overheating and potential fire hazards. It is recommended to consult with a qualified electrician to ensure the proper breaker is used.


Can a double pole 20 amp breaker be used with 12-2 wire for a single 220 circuit?

Yes, a double pole 20 amp breaker can be used with 12-2 wire for a 240V circuit. However, make sure the device you are connecting requires 240V and not 120V. Also, consult local electrical codes and regulations to ensure compliance with safety standards.


Why would you need a 20 Amp Single Pole Switch insted of a 15 Amp?

A 20 Amp single pole switch is needed when the circuit requires higher amperage capacity to safely control the load. Using a 15 Amp switch on a circuit that requires 20 Amps could lead to overheating and potential fire hazards. Always match the switch's amperage rating with the circuit's requirements for safety and proper functionality.


Is 30 amp double pole breaker ok for 4800 watt wall heater?

Yes, a 30 amp double pole breaker would be suitable for a 4800 watt wall heater. Since watts equals volts multiplied by amps, this wall heater on a 240-volt circuit would draw 20 amps (4800 watts/240 volts), which is less than the 30 amp capacity of the breaker.


Why does my heating and air conditioner in my house have 3 double pole breakers - a 30 40 and 50?

In North America a two pole breaker usually represents a load that requires a 240 volt source. Larger current load appliances use 240 volts to reduce the feeder size and there by reduces the cost factor when wiring a building. Two pole 15 amp breakers are used for kitchen counter split receptacles.Two pole 20 amp breakers can be used for baseboard heating and hot water tanks.Two pole 30 amp breakers can be used for clothes dryers and some heating units.Two pole 40 amp breakers can be used for electric ranges.Two pole 50 amp breakers are not common in home wiring circuits. It might be used for an electric furnace or some other high current device.

Related questions

Can a double pole circuit breaker be used for 2 different circuits I have a 20 amp double pole breaker want 2 circuits running 14 gauge wire?

can a 20 amp double pole circuit breaker be used for 2 different 120 v circuits using 14 - 2 wire


Can you use a double pole 15 amp breaker in place of a 20 amp single pole breaker for a 12000 BTU air conditioner?

No, it is not safe to use a double pole 15 amp breaker in place of a 20 amp single pole breaker for a 12000 BTU air conditioner. The breaker size must match the electrical requirements of the appliance to prevent overheating and potential fire hazards. It is recommended to consult with a qualified electrician to ensure the proper breaker is used.


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.


Is it safe to replace a 20 amp 2 pole 120 vac with a 20 amp 2 pole 125 vac circuit interrupter?

Not a problem. The higher voltage rating of the interrupter just says it is safe and has been tested at that voltage.


Can a double pole 20 amp breaker be used with 12-2 wire for a single 220 circuit?

Yes, a double pole 20 amp breaker can be used with 12-2 wire for a 240V circuit. However, make sure the device you are connecting requires 240V and not 120V. Also, consult local electrical codes and regulations to ensure compliance with safety standards.


Can your 30 amp generator pull a double 20 amp circuit?

When the term "double 20 amp circuit" is used, the presumption is that, it is 20 amps at 240 volts. If your generator has the breaker built in then, yes, you have the capacity to run 240 volt devices from your generator.


Why would you need a 20 Amp Single Pole Switch insted of a 15 Amp?

A 20 Amp single pole switch is needed when the circuit requires higher amperage capacity to safely control the load. Using a 15 Amp switch on a circuit that requires 20 Amps could lead to overheating and potential fire hazards. Always match the switch's amperage rating with the circuit's requirements for safety and proper functionality.


Is 30 amp double pole breaker ok for 4800 watt wall heater?

Yes, a 30 amp double pole breaker would be suitable for a 4800 watt wall heater. Since watts equals volts multiplied by amps, this wall heater on a 240-volt circuit would draw 20 amps (4800 watts/240 volts), which is less than the 30 amp capacity of the breaker.


Why does my heating and air conditioner in my house have 3 double pole breakers - a 30 40 and 50?

In North America a two pole breaker usually represents a load that requires a 240 volt source. Larger current load appliances use 240 volts to reduce the feeder size and there by reduces the cost factor when wiring a building. Two pole 15 amp breakers are used for kitchen counter split receptacles.Two pole 20 amp breakers can be used for baseboard heating and hot water tanks.Two pole 30 amp breakers can be used for clothes dryers and some heating units.Two pole 40 amp breakers can be used for electric ranges.Two pole 50 amp breakers are not common in home wiring circuits. It might be used for an electric furnace or some other high current device.


Why would i need a 20-Amp Single-Pole Switch insted of a 15 Amp?

A 20-Amp single-pole switch is needed if you are controlling a circuit that has a higher current capacity (20 Amps) compared to a 15-Amp switch. Using a switch with a lower amperage rating than the circuit can handle may cause overheating and potential safety hazards. Always match the switch amperage rating with the circuit's capacity to ensure safe operation.


Why does your wiper windshield motor only work with a 30 amp fuse and not operate with a 20 amp fuse in the car?

It should work with a 20 amp, just not as long. Wipers use a fair amount of current so the factory puts a 30 amp in. Perhaps that particular 20 amp is bad or it blew as soon as you turned the wipers on.