Single Pole Breaker Vs Double Pole Breaker

Unlike a double pole breaker which serves a single 240 volt circuit a cheater serves two 120 volt circuits.

Single pole breaker vs 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. The first a single pole breaker and the second a double pole breaker. A two pole breaker takes up two spaces in the electrical panel. A tandem breaker is the same size as any other standard or single pole breaker but it has a key difference.

A single pole breaker is typically used with 120 volt circuits 15 20 amps. If measured together they carry 220 volts. There are two kinds of double pole breakers internal and external trip. A double pole breaker is primarily used with a 240 volt circuit 20 60 amps and consists of two hot wires.

Single pole breakers are thinner and have a single switch for on off positions. A circuit breaker that is connected to a 110 volt circuit is called a single pole breaker. Individually the wires carry 110 volts each. It feeds power to two wires connected to the breaker from each phase.

Double pole breakers will also require twice the space in a breaker panel as their single pole. Provide 240 volts 20 60 amps and have two hot wires that share one neutral wire. This breaker sports two smaller breakers built into one regular sized breaker body. It cannot be used to supply 240 volts to a single circuit.

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. Each has its own toggle switch and the breaker snaps into the panel just like a regular breaker. They are constructed with one hot wire and one neutral wire.