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Answer for Canada, USA and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.
This description is for a line voltage thermostat. It depends on what the voltage of the baseboard heater is. If it is 120 volts the thermostat will be a single pole and that is all that is required, as the neutral wire is not to be opened according to the electrical code.


Now if you are replacing the thermostat and all that you have is a two pole thermostat to replace it just use one side of the two pole thermostat. Connect the voltage supply to the top and the heater load to the bottom of the thermostat.

Single pole thermostats can also be used on 240 volt installations as only one leg has to be opened to stop the current flow to the heater. This is not recommended as the other leg of the 240 volt supply is still "hot" to ground and you could get a shock if you accidentally touch the other leg and ground.


The proper way of wiring a 240 volt heater is to bring the two supply wires to the top of the thermostat and connect the heater load to the bottom of the thermostat.


As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.

Before you do any work yourself, on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.

IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

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Q: How do I wire a double pole thermostat in place of a single pole?
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What is the difference between single pole and double pole thermostats?

A line thermostat on a 240 volt heater must open both of the supply lines that feed the heater. This is where the double pole thermostat is used. On 120 volt heaters only one hot line needs to be opened to shut the supply off from the source therefore a single pole thermostat is used.


Can you use a double pole thermostat to replace a single pole thermostat?

Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.A double pole thermostat is a line thermostat and not to be confused with a low voltage stat. When the heating load has 240 volts for a supply voltage, both lines from the distribution panel are supposed to disconnect when the thermostat reaches the set point temperature. A single pole thermostat is only used on a 120 volt heater an the return leg from the heater is a neutral wire.A two pole thermostat can be used on a 120 volt circuit but a single pole thermostat should not be used on a 240 volt circuit. The reason being is that on a 240 volt circuit using a single pole thermostat, one "hot" leg doesn't get isolated from the heater and is always "hot" to ground. This is a shock hazard if you are working on the heater and depending on the thermostat as a disconnect from the distribution voltage.Before you do any work yourself,on electrical circuits, equipment or appliancesalways use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.


Should you buy double pole breaker or single pole?

Use of a double pole breaker or a single pole breaker depends entirely on the application. If you don't know about the application, contact a qualified electrician in your area.


Which is best double pole or single pole power socket?

there is no answer a single pole socket is a 120v and a double pole is 240v if you are talking about contactors it is completely up to the appliance but a double pole double throw is just as safe as a single pole single throw contactor, Example a single pole single throw will only disconnect the "hot" wire, not the neutral or ground wire and thus no voltage will pass however with a 240 v circuit a double pole single throw only disconnects one "hot" wire and will still have voltage through the circuit (120 volts not 240 though)and is not as safe as a double pole double throw that will disconnect both "hot" lines so no voltage is in circuit If you need electrical work done and do not completely know how to wire it up to code and be safe in the process hire a professional! >>>ITS WORTH YOUR LIFE<<<


Can double pole circuit breakers be changed into single to create more room in the pannel box?

Yes. The double pole breaker can be removed and replaced with two single pole breakers. The double pole breakers are only used for 240 volt supply loads.

Related questions

Double pole or single pole hot water heater thermostat?

Single pole.


What is the difference between single pole and double pole thermostats?

A line thermostat on a 240 volt heater must open both of the supply lines that feed the heater. This is where the double pole thermostat is used. On 120 volt heaters only one hot line needs to be opened to shut the supply off from the source therefore a single pole thermostat is used.


Can you use a double pole thermostat to replace a single pole thermostat?

Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.A double pole thermostat is a line thermostat and not to be confused with a low voltage stat. When the heating load has 240 volts for a supply voltage, both lines from the distribution panel are supposed to disconnect when the thermostat reaches the set point temperature. A single pole thermostat is only used on a 120 volt heater an the return leg from the heater is a neutral wire.A two pole thermostat can be used on a 120 volt circuit but a single pole thermostat should not be used on a 240 volt circuit. The reason being is that on a 240 volt circuit using a single pole thermostat, one "hot" leg doesn't get isolated from the heater and is always "hot" to ground. This is a shock hazard if you are working on the heater and depending on the thermostat as a disconnect from the distribution voltage.Before you do any work yourself,on electrical circuits, equipment or appliancesalways use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.


What is the difference between a single pole breaker and a double pole breaker?

Courtesy of Ace Hardware - I found it on their site · What is the difference between a double pole and a single pole thermostat?Single pole thermostats breaks only one side of the power line to your heater and cannot be turned off. Therefore, power is continuous to the heater even if it is not running. The control knob will have a low temperature setting without an off position. Single pole Thermostats uses only two wires. This means that even if the temperature dial is turned all the way down, voltage is still going into the heater through one line. This may pose a hazard to anyone who might perform electrical work on the heater without realizing that the circuit was still on. You will need to turn off the power at the circuit breaker before electrical repairs can be made safely.Double pole thermostats breaks both sides of the power line; therefore all power to the heater is interrupted. This acts as a safeguard for people performing electrical work on the heater. However, to be on the safe side, you should always turn off the power at the circuit breaker, not at the thermostat, before making any electrical repairs. A double pole will uses four wires and has a off position on the thermostat.Since they are inherently safer, you should always try to use double-pole thermostats, if possible. Another advantage of a double-pole thermostat is that you can turn it completely off and the heat will not come on no matter how cold your room gets. But with a single-pole unit, the thermostat will turn the heat on even if set on the lowest setting.CHECK YOUR LOCAL CODES FOR BUILDING REQUIREMENTS IN DETERMINING IF YOU NEED A SINGLE OR DOUBLE POLE THERMOSTAT BEFORE PURCHASING OR INSTALLING. How can I determine if I have a single or double pole thermostat?Usually, you can tell the difference between a single pole and double-pole thermostat by looking at the dial. A double-pole normally has an "Off" position on the dial whereas a single-pole thermostat does not. The only sure way to tell which kind you have is to remove it from the wall and count the wires connected to it. A double-pole thermostat will have four wires that switches both hot wires whereas a single-pole thermostat will have two wires that only switches one of the hot wires. Can I use a single or double pole thermostat with a 120, 208, or 240 volt heater?Yes. Can I use 1 thermostat to control more than 1 baseboard heater?Built-in thermostats (mounted directly on baseboard) are designed for single heater use. However, it is possible to control more than 1 heater on a wall thermostat if the thermostat rating is not exceeded. Can I mount the thermostat on one side and wire the baseboard heater on the opposite side?No, the thermostat requires power from the supply wires and must be wired in conjunction with the baseboard heater. Is a built-in or a wall mount thermostat better?A built-in control is convenient when the walls are already finished. The built-in thermostat is also convenient to install. However, the wall thermostat is a more accurate way to control the room temperature, is more convenient to use, and has a broader selection of models. The use of electronic thermostats provides more accuracy and saves you money on your electric bill. Can all of the heaters in my house be controlled by one thermostat?There are many benefits to zonal heating. Zonal systems save energy by not heating unoccupied rooms and provide the ultimate in comfort by allowing occupied zones to be heated specifically to individual needs. The purpose of each zone's (room) heater is to heat that specific zone per the set point of the individual thermostat. What is the difference between a low voltage and a line voltage thermostat?Low voltage thermostats should be used when the heater load is greater than 3,800 watts such as commercial heater or central forced air systems.Line voltage thermostats should be used for zonal heat systems such as electric fan heaters, baseboard heaters and radiant heaters. What should I do if my wall thermostat feels hot to the touch?Cadet recommends you replace the thermostat. A hot thermostat indicates that it is not working efficiently; decreasing its accuracy. NOTE: A normal operating thermostat will be slightly warmer than the room temperature by 3 to 5 degrees. Can I use a wall mount thermostat to control my heater if it has an in-built thermostat?Yes, to bypass the in-built thermostat, turn the thermostat on the heater to the highest setting, then use the wall thermostat to regulate the room temperature.


What does dp and sp mean on a socket?

Double pole and single pole.


Should you buy double pole breaker or single pole?

Use of a double pole breaker or a single pole breaker depends entirely on the application. If you don't know about the application, contact a qualified electrician in your area.


Which is best double pole or single pole power socket?

there is no answer a single pole socket is a 120v and a double pole is 240v if you are talking about contactors it is completely up to the appliance but a double pole double throw is just as safe as a single pole single throw contactor, Example a single pole single throw will only disconnect the "hot" wire, not the neutral or ground wire and thus no voltage will pass however with a 240 v circuit a double pole single throw only disconnects one "hot" wire and will still have voltage through the circuit (120 volts not 240 though)and is not as safe as a double pole double throw that will disconnect both "hot" lines so no voltage is in circuit If you need electrical work done and do not completely know how to wire it up to code and be safe in the process hire a professional! >>>ITS WORTH YOUR LIFE<<<


Can double pole circuit breakers be changed into single to create more room in the pannel box?

Yes. The double pole breaker can be removed and replaced with two single pole breakers. The double pole breakers are only used for 240 volt supply loads.


What is the difference between iron clad double pole switch and double pole single throw switch?

Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.The difference between a double pole switch and a single pole switch is the use of the switch in the installation or equipment. A double pole switch is used when the voltage from two circuits has to be broken. An example of this is a 240 volt supply. A single pole switch is used where there is only a single supply voltage that has to be broken.


What does SPDT stand for?

Single Pole Double Throw


What are the function of different types of switches?

What are Air Force types of ied switches


When installing a double pole thermostat should there be any unattached live wires remaining?

1kv