May 2 circuits, such as a lighting circuit and another receptacle circuit, be tied to a 2pole breaker so they will both be interupted at the same time? One leg on each pole of the circuit breaker. Do circuits have to have individual single pole breakers or would this method be approved? Also is it approved to use individual single pole breakers as a double pole if the handles are mechanically connected by a tie?
2 pole breaker
- Thread starter pipedope
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Re: 2 pole breaker
You bet you can.
This is the way I look at it.
If you run out of 1p breakers you can install a 2p. Naturally, there is the minor problem of if one circuit is overloaded or experiences a fault then it trips both circuits. Good idea? No.
If one runs a home run where the opposite lines land on the same yoke, such as splitting a convenience outlet, you are required to tie the (2) 1p breakers feeding each circuit together with a handle tie or you may use a 2p breaker. If 1 circuit has to be serviced you must turn off both circuits.
So, 2 separate circuits would be similar.
You bet you can.
This is the way I look at it.
If you run out of 1p breakers you can install a 2p. Naturally, there is the minor problem of if one circuit is overloaded or experiences a fault then it trips both circuits. Good idea? No.
If one runs a home run where the opposite lines land on the same yoke, such as splitting a convenience outlet, you are required to tie the (2) 1p breakers feeding each circuit together with a handle tie or you may use a 2p breaker. If 1 circuit has to be serviced you must turn off both circuits.
So, 2 separate circuits would be similar.
Re: 2 pole breaker
No, not unless both circuits end up on the same device or yoke ref NEC Art 210-2(B). Either (2) individual (1)p breakers tied togehter with a handle tie or a 2p breaker will be suitable to comply with this requirement. In other words tthe NEC really isn't looking for a "common trip" but wants to assure that both poles will open at the same time manually.
No, not unless both circuits end up on the same device or yoke ref NEC Art 210-2(B). Either (2) individual (1)p breakers tied togehter with a handle tie or a 2p breaker will be suitable to comply with this requirement. In other words tthe NEC really isn't looking for a "common trip" but wants to assure that both poles will open at the same time manually.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
Re: 2 pole breaker
There is also a requirement for multiwire Branch circuits to a freestanding furniture partitions to be fed with multipole circuit breakers so that all of the circuits associated with one neutral are disconnect simultaneously. Look at 605.7
- Location
- Illinois
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- retired electrician
Re: 2 pole breaker
Don
It is likely that this rule will appear in the 2008 code.
Don
Re: 2 pole breaker
regarding the 3 wire with 2 separate breakers (?) won't there be a "Back-Feed" by way of the neutral to the "dead" device if only one breaker trips ?? personally I've always used a 2 pole because of this belief ... hope I don't sound "tooo Dumb" with this Q ... M
PS..I've been "Nailed" by a "HOT" Neutral on a shared circuit before and it was something I'll never forget
: I had one circuit off the other on !! ... M
[ February 13, 2006, 12:00 PM: Message edited by: mario ]
regarding the 3 wire with 2 separate breakers (?) won't there be a "Back-Feed" by way of the neutral to the "dead" device if only one breaker trips ?? personally I've always used a 2 pole because of this belief ... hope I don't sound "tooo Dumb" with this Q ... M
PS..I've been "Nailed" by a "HOT" Neutral on a shared circuit before and it was something I'll never forget
: I had one circuit off the other on !! ... M[ February 13, 2006, 12:00 PM: Message edited by: mario ]
- Location
- Windsor, CO NEC: 2017
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- Hospital Master Electrician
Re: 2 pole breaker
It's not a "back-feed." It's neutral current flowing back to it's source. And yes, you're right.
Re: 2 pole breaker
I had an instance where one of the contacts of a main breaker was defective. What was happening was that the 240v baseboard heaters were back feeding power to the dead line and the lines on that circuit glowed dimly when the thermostat called for heat.
I had an instance where one of the contacts of a main breaker was defective. What was happening was that the 240v baseboard heaters were back feeding power to the dead line and the lines on that circuit glowed dimly when the thermostat called for heat.
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