Single Pole Breaker Vs Double Pole Breaker

A circuit breaker that is connected to a 110 volt circuit is called a single pole breaker.

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. Each has its own toggle switch and the breaker snaps into the panel just like a regular breaker. It cannot be used to supply 240 volts to a single circuit. It feeds power to two wires connected to the breaker from each phase.

Unlike a double pole breaker which serves a single 240 volt circuit a cheater serves two 120 volt circuits. The first a single pole breaker and the second a double pole breaker. They are constructed with one hot wire and one neutral wire. A tandem breaker supplies two separate 120 volt circuits.

A single pole breaker is typically used with 120 volt circuits 15 20 amps. Single pole breakers are thinner and have a single switch for on off positions. If measured together they carry 220 volts. 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. This breaker sports two smaller breakers built into one regular sized breaker body. Double pole breakers will also require twice the space in a breaker panel as their single pole. 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.

Provide 120 volts 15 20 amps and have one hot wire and one neutral wire. Well single pole breakers and double pole breakers differ in the voltage and amperage they provide as well as how they are wired. A double pole breaker is primarily used with a 240 volt circuit 20 60 amps and consists of two hot wires.