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How do you tell a single pole breaker from a double pole breaker?
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
Double pole isolates both neutral and live, single pole only isolates live, double is better, but single is cheaper. DP-switched sockets have only become commonplace in relatively recent times anyway, marketed on yet another "increased safety" angle when there was never any safety problem with SP to begin with.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoA single pole switch (or breaker, thermostat, fuse block, etc.) switches one hot leg of power, while a double pole switches two hot legs of power (and three pole switches three, etc.).
A "standard" light switch is single pole. One wire in, one wire out. When switched on or off, it breaks the current of one hot wire. Commonly used on 110 volt, as there is only one hot wire (neutrals are seldom switched). In North America the neutrals are never switched.
A double pole switch is commonly used to switch 220 volt. Two hot wires into the switch and two wires out to the load.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoNot counting ground terminals, a single pole switch will have either 2 or 3 terminals, depending on its design.
Again, not counting ground terminals, a double pole switch will have 4 terminals.
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoA single pole breaker will take up one single slot in a household distribution panel. A two pole breaker will take up two slots in the distribution panel. Older double pole breaker installations had two breakers side by side with the two switch handles physically tied together. Today two pole breakers are one unit containing two output terminals for the output circuit. This new configuration has only one handle to operate both sides of the breaker for shutting the circuit off and resetting a tripped breaker.
Wiki User
∙ 16y agoThe term refers to whether the switch just acts on the live supply in the socket (single pole), or the live and neutral (double pole).
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoOne pole connects and disconnects one wire and double pole connects and disconnects two wires.
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How by looking at a socket can you tell the difference in a double or single pole?
Single or double pole is usually a switch. 110 or 220 on a plug, 110 is usually a double outlet. 220 is usually or always a single outlet. Design of the outlet will vary depending on what is plugged into it. The slots can be 1 vertical and 1 horizontal. Both slots can be at an angle. If a regular 110 cord will not plug into an outlet, good chance it is a 220
Is the amperage of a breaker for total amps combined or on each leg?
The breaker will trip at the amperage notated on the breaker. If it's 100A...it will trip at or around 100A. It does not matter if that breaker is physically tied to another 100A breaker. To understand this, imagine that you remove the mechanical tie from the two-pole breaker. Now you just have two 100A breakers. In actuality, you always had two 100A breakers. The mechanical tie does not change that. If you then powered two, separate 120 volt devices from the two breakers, each breaker would allow 100 amperes to pass to each of the devices before tripping. So why are they tied together? That is done when the two-pole breaker is to be used to power a 240 volt circuit. In AC current, electricity flows in both directions. In a 120 volt circuit, it flows "out" toward the device via the hot (generally the black wire) and "back" via the neutral (generally the white wire). Then the cycle reverses. It does this 60 times per second (60Hz). The amperage in the hot and neutral wires are the same (in the perfect world). Only the hot wire is connected to the breaker. In a 240 volt circuit, there is no neutral wire. You are using two "legs" of 120 volts each that are 180 degrees out of phase with each other. In other words, as leg 1 is flowing "out", leg 2 is flowing "back". Because they are out of phase, the potential difference is twice the voltage of each line or 240 volts. The current flows out and back at the same 60 Hz but this time via the two hot wires (generally black and red). Each of these hot wires are connected to the two terminals of the two-pole breaker. Due to mechanical tolerances, one breaker will most likely trip before the other. Therefore, if the rated current, (100 amps), is exceeded on either breaker, that breaker will trip and the other breaker will trip via the mechanical tie. This ensures that all power to the outlet is disconnected. If you removed the tie and only one breaker tripped, there would still be 120 volts connected to the outlet. In summary, each leg of a single, double (2 phase) or triple (3 phase) breaker is capable of allowing the amount of current denoted on the breaker. The connected circuit, regardless of voltage is protected from exceeding that amperage.
Is it difficult to differentiate a SPST switch from a SPDT switch?
No it is not hard to tell them apart. A Single Pole Single Throw switch will go directly from the on position to the off position breaking the circuit. This is the type of switch that is used in homes for lighting control. A Single Pole Double Throw switch will usually have a stop indent which is the off position mid way through the throw. This is the switch that is used for a transfer switch when using a stand by generator in the system. The full up (on) position is usually connected to utility power. The full down (on) position is usually connected to the stand by generator.
What size breaker should be used for a fridge?
read the manufactures data plate on the back of the fridge it will tell you the amps and voltage of the fridge. But most likely will be a 20 amp circuit. code requires min size out lets for stand alone appliances in kitchen to be 20 amp.
How can you tell which is the North Pole on a magnet if it is not marked?
A magnet's north pole will attract the south pole of a compass needle (i.e. the end of the needle that points to Magnetic South).
How by looking at a socket can you tell the difference in a double or single pole?
Single or double pole is usually a switch. 110 or 220 on a plug, 110 is usually a double outlet. 220 is usually or always a single outlet. Design of the outlet will vary depending on what is plugged into it. The slots can be 1 vertical and 1 horizontal. Both slots can be at an angle. If a regular 110 cord will not plug into an outlet, good chance it is a 220
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.
How do you tell the difference between square d 3 pole 50a breaker and square d 3pole 50a breaker with shunt trip?
the easiest way to tell, is the shunt trip breaker will actually take up 4 spaces in your panel. the 4th space will have a neutral wire coming out of it, along with a lug for power INPUT. when voltage is applied to the shunt trip, it will cause the other 3 poles to open by tripping the breaker.
How can you tell if your car is single or double overhead cam?
If you look under the hood at the engine it will either say SOHC or DOHC which is Single and Double respectivly.
How can you tell if a breaker a bad?
Swap it with another like breaker.
How can you tell if a circuit breaker is bad?
Swap it with another like breaker.
Why would a switch on my distribution panel trip now and again when it's not actually wired up to anything?
Something that the breaker is wired to on the board has an intermittent short. <<>> It could be a case that you are looking at a two pole breaker that at one time was used on a three wire branch circuit. These circuits must disconnect both poles if a fault occurs on either circuit. It could be that one of the circuits was disconnected at some time prior and the one left on the breaker is in effect the cause of the breaker to trip. Without more information it is hard to tell. These types of three wire circuits usually feed kitchen counter receptacles. The next time the breaker trips check to see if it is a two pole breaker. If it is only a single breaker, for safety sake if there is nothing connected to the breaker, leave it in the off position as it may have an internal fault. In the future you may want to change it out for a new one. For more help just leave additional information on the discussion page, page link below.
How can you tell whether to double the end consonant when forming the past tense of a verb?
Verbs spelled with a single vowel letter followed by a single consonant letter will double the consonant.
Is the amperage of a breaker for total amps combined or on each leg?
The breaker will trip at the amperage notated on the breaker. If it's 100A...it will trip at or around 100A. It does not matter if that breaker is physically tied to another 100A breaker. To understand this, imagine that you remove the mechanical tie from the two-pole breaker. Now you just have two 100A breakers. In actuality, you always had two 100A breakers. The mechanical tie does not change that. If you then powered two, separate 120 volt devices from the two breakers, each breaker would allow 100 amperes to pass to each of the devices before tripping. So why are they tied together? That is done when the two-pole breaker is to be used to power a 240 volt circuit. In AC current, electricity flows in both directions. In a 120 volt circuit, it flows "out" toward the device via the hot (generally the black wire) and "back" via the neutral (generally the white wire). Then the cycle reverses. It does this 60 times per second (60Hz). The amperage in the hot and neutral wires are the same (in the perfect world). Only the hot wire is connected to the breaker. In a 240 volt circuit, there is no neutral wire. You are using two "legs" of 120 volts each that are 180 degrees out of phase with each other. In other words, as leg 1 is flowing "out", leg 2 is flowing "back". Because they are out of phase, the potential difference is twice the voltage of each line or 240 volts. The current flows out and back at the same 60 Hz but this time via the two hot wires (generally black and red). Each of these hot wires are connected to the two terminals of the two-pole breaker. Due to mechanical tolerances, one breaker will most likely trip before the other. Therefore, if the rated current, (100 amps), is exceeded on either breaker, that breaker will trip and the other breaker will trip via the mechanical tie. This ensures that all power to the outlet is disconnected. If you removed the tie and only one breaker tripped, there would still be 120 volts connected to the outlet. In summary, each leg of a single, double (2 phase) or triple (3 phase) breaker is capable of allowing the amount of current denoted on the breaker. The connected circuit, regardless of voltage is protected from exceeding that amperage.
How do you tell if you have single strength vs double strength windows?
measure the thickness of the glass, double strength is 1/8" thick while single strength is 1/16" thick
What is the pole called in high jump?
The "stick" itself is just called a pole or a pole vaulting pole. The poles are named by their length and maximum weight it can hold. For instance, a pole that is 12 feet tall and can hold a pole vaulter with a maximum weight of 130 pounds is a 12 foot 130 pole.
Which breaker is for the hot water heater inside the panel box?
There is no way of telling from here. It will be a double breaker, most boxes will have 3 doubles. One for the stove, one for the AC and one for the water heater. Process of elimination should tell you which is for the heater.
