Single Pole Breaker Vs Double Pole Breaker

A double pole breaker is primarily used with a 240 volt circuit 20 60 amps and consists of two hot wires.

Single pole breaker vs double pole breaker.

A tandem breaker is the same size as any other standard or single pole breaker but it has a key difference. Provide 240 volts 20 60 amps and have two hot wires that share one neutral wire. A circuit breaker that is connected to a 110 volt circuit is called a single pole breaker. Provide 120 volts 15 20 amps and have one hot wire and one neutral wire.

Single pole breakers are thinner and have a single switch for on off positions. A double pole breaker will have the appearance of double the width of the single pole breaker with the appearance of two switches bridged to function as a single switch. Double pole breakers will also require twice the space in a breaker panel as their single pole. A two pole breaker takes up two spaces in the electrical panel.

A different type of doubled up breaker is a quad breaker which serves two 240 volt circuits but is the same width as a standard double pole breaker. Unlike a double pole breaker which serves a single 240 volt circuit a cheater serves two 120 volt circuits. Each has its own toggle switch and the breaker snaps into the panel just like a regular breaker. It feeds power to two wires connected to the breaker from each phase.

If measured together they carry 220 volts. A single pole breaker is typically used with 120 volt circuits 15 20 amps. This breaker sports two smaller breakers built into one regular sized breaker body. Individually the wires carry 110 volts each.

There are two kinds of double pole breakers internal and external trip. The first a single pole breaker and the second a double pole breaker. Well single pole breakers and double pole breakers differ in the voltage and amperage they provide as well as how they are wired.