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Tandem breakers, often called split breakers or double breakers, provide two separate circuits in the space of a regular sized breaker opening. Every circuit breaker panel has a limited number of circuit openings available. The problem is that when the openings are all used up and you still need to add another circuit, what do you do? You could change the electrical panel or double up circuits on a breaker, but this could place too much load on a particular circuit. So what then? The answer that many have found is a tandem breaker. This type breaker is the same size as any other breaker, but it has its difference. This breaker sports two smaller breakers built into one regular sized breaker. Each has its own breaker switch and the breaker snaps in just like a regular breaker. With this simple innovation, you can add a circuit and protect the circuit on its own dedicated line.
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∙ 15y ago
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My seimans elect panel box let me put in tandem breakers?
I wnt to install a tandem breaker but my panel box won't let me. Why?
Does a 15 amp tandem breaker equal 30 amps total?
No, each segment of a tandem breaker is what the breaker rating on the handle states. Tandem breakers are used when there is no space left in the distribution panelboard. You get an extra circuit by removing the full size breaker and installing a tandem breaker,
What kind of a GE circuit breaker can you use in place of a GE tandem breaker?
A GE tandem breaker can be removed and replaced with a GE single pole breaker.
Does square D make a circuit breaker with a 15 amp and 20 amp breaker in the same breaker?
No tandem breakers are of the same value.
Does GE make a tandem two pole 30 - 30 amp breaker?
No, there is a tandem single pole 3030 but GE does not make a tandem two pole 3030.
My seimans elect panel box let me put in tandem breakers?
I wnt to install a tandem breaker but my panel box won't let me. Why?
Does a 15 amp tandem breaker equal 30 amps total?
No, each segment of a tandem breaker is what the breaker rating on the handle states. Tandem breakers are used when there is no space left in the distribution panelboard. You get an extra circuit by removing the full size breaker and installing a tandem breaker,
What kind of a GE circuit breaker can you use in place of a GE tandem breaker?
A GE tandem breaker can be removed and replaced with a GE single pole breaker.
Does square D make a circuit breaker with a 15 amp and 20 amp breaker in the same breaker?
No tandem breakers are of the same value.
Does GE make a tandem two pole 30 - 30 amp breaker?
No, there is a tandem single pole 3030 but GE does not make a tandem two pole 3030.
What is a circuit breaker with 2 switches?
If unaltered, it would by called a "tandem" breaker. Typically used to add new circuits to a full load center.
How do you replace a 15 amp breaker in the circuit box?
The breaker will have a black wire connected to it. Turn off the main breaker and then disconnect that black wire from the breaker. The breaker will snap into the main bar. Remove the breaker and install the new one. Reconnect the black wire to the breaker and then install the cover and turn the main breaker back on.
Does DTE Energy install breaker boxes?
To the best of my knowledge, DTE dose not install breaker boxes. To have one installed you should contact an electrician.
Why are two 30amps breaker together?
They are in tandem because they power a 220 VAC circuit, rather then a 110 VAC circuit.
If you install a 30A 240V GFI breaker will this be ok or will the cycles the dryer has prematurely fail the breaker?
I suspect you mean GFIC breaker. The dryer will not cause the breaker to fail.
Is it possible to overload a panel with too many duplex breakers?
YES.By duplex breaker, you mean 'tandem breaker', a special breaker designed to allow you to get more circuits into a panel that is full or almost full.You most likely have a 'CTL' type panel in your home.You MUST use 'CTL' breakers, or CTL tandem breakers in that panel. By design, if you look at the bus bars that your breakers snap onto, the upper 60 percent or so is different than the lower 40 percent.The lower bus bars are designed differently so that you cannot install tandem breakers in a certain number of spaces. This prevents you from overloading the panel.Most people at Lowe's and Home Depot do not know this and will give you anything to put into your panel. DON'T! If the CTL tandem doesn't fit, it's not supposed to. Do NOT go back to the store to get a different breaker because that one didn't fit.Call an electrician to install a larger service and panel with more capacity. Installing non-CTL breakers to cirvumvent the safety feature can cause your house to burn down.It costs more to rebuild your home due to electrical fire, than it would have cost to have the job done right by a professional electrician.The above answer is correct, but I would like to add there are some States that do not allow tandem breakers.
Can you put in piggy back circuit breakers in a circuit panel?
The electrical terminology for this type of breaker is a tandem breaker. It is where two breakers circuits can be in the same one breaker slot in a distribution panel. On this type of breaker there will be two output for a circuit value of what ever the breaker is rated for.
