120V EBB from 2 pole CB?

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iggy2

Senior Member
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NEw England
We have a project with existing Sq D QO loadcenters each with a 2 pole, 20A CB feeding an electric kick space heater (1500 W = 6.25A). Part of the project is to add a piece of electric baseboard (EBB) in the bathroom. I would like to use 120 volt baseboard, just to keep the voltage in the bathroom, and at the wall mounted, line voltage thermostat lower. Is there any reason one pole of the 20A 2P CB cannot feed the EBB (500W = 4.2A), as well as the existing kick space heater?

I was thinking the 120V load would then be on a multi-wire circuit, which could only feed line-to-neutral loads. But since the 2 loads do not share a neutral, that does not seem to be the case. Also, exception 2 of 210.4 would allow the line-to-line load, since the 2P CB would open all ungrounded conductors simultaneously.

(QO breakers are listed for 2 wires, but that's not really my question.)

Thanks.
 
As long as the loading is OK you can do what you want.

Personally I would not worry about 240 EBB, it is still 120 volts to ground and a person would almost have to be trying to get a line to line 240 shock from it.
 
Thanks.

Personally I would not worry about 240 EBB, it is still 120 volts to ground and a person would almost have to be trying to get a line to line 240 shock from it.
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I don't disagree, but all else being equal, a 120 volt line voltage thermostat is a few dollars cheaper (x 395 units).
 
Someone working with the thermostat who thought that one line was grounded might get into trouble (although not an issue if they open the disconnect breaker.
 
You are correct with your mentioning of multiwire circuits and some of the rules associated, this would be allowed on a two pole breaker but not with handle ties for the MWBC to also supply 240 volt loads.

Another thing to consider had it not been a load in the bathroom is AFCI protection would be likely necessary if the heater is 120 volts.
 
iwire said:
a person would almost have to be trying to get a line to line 240 shock from it.
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GoldDigger said:
Someone working with the thermostat who thought that one line was grounded might get into trouble
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If someone has made the choice to use tools and open an electrical box it is up to them to keep themselves safe. There is nothing we can do to prevent the unqualified from hurting themselves.



ActionDave said:
Natural selection has a role to play if we want to keep the species strong.
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Pretty much.
 
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