Thread: Double pole 220 volt breaker used for 110 circuit

Can a 20 amp double pole breaker that is designed for a 220 volt circuit be used for a single 110 volt circuit? Like the one in the photo.

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Yes, but ...

What's with all those disconnected wires hanging around there? That is truly unsafe.

why not look at a the listing

Yeah, what's with the two loose conductors? Also the top breaker has a broken throw and looks to be double tapped on the top side. Hard to tell from the photo.

Barry, your double tap is a shadow.

Will it work...yes recommended no.
but ....
Open splices and damaged breaker above.

Have electrician further review and improve.

Michael Almeida
Home Inspection in Southern Bergen, Hudson & Essex County by Pillar To Post

Yes, The circuit will function; however it is a definate sign of non-professional work, the 2-pole breaker is not being used for its intended design and should be recommended to be replaced with a single pole. The two disconnected circuits are a different matter.

no brainer put cover on box inform client to have qualifed electrician inspect box has a lot of problems as for 220 being used for 110 no

Originally Posted by Steve Lowery

Barry, your double tap is a shadow.

Steve,
Thanks, I couldn't tell....but hey I finally "enlarged" the photo, more there to see in the "big" picture.

So now we have a yes and a no for the question.

Originally Posted by Trent Tarter

Can a 20 amp double pole breaker that is designed for a 220 volt circuit be used for a single 110 volt circuit? Like the one in the photo.

The answer is "yes". It has an internal common trip and will respond to overcurrent with just a single circuit terminated on it.

Originally Posted by Brian Robertson

So now we have a yes and a no for the question.

Brian,

I must be missing something re-reading the above posts, but ... where is the "no" answer you are referring to?

I'm stumped (but, I'm also easy to stump).

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

Brian,

I must be missing something re-reading the above posts, but ... where is the "no" answer you are referring to?

I'm stumped (but, I'm also easy to stump).

I think the "no" must be Mr. Barr: "...as for 220 being used for 110 no".

Originally Posted by John Arnold

I think the "no" must be Mr. Barr: "...as for 220 being used for 110 no".

.

Maybe that is what he was talking about, but I read that as "as for 220 being used for 110 no", i.e., you do not use 220 volts for 110 volt circuits, but now I see he was saying it meaning "as for 220 volt breakers beings used for 1 - 110 volt circuit, no", which, of course, is incorrect as each side of the breaker only has 120 volts, so using only one side for 1 - 120 volt circuit is not a problem.

Guess I need to improve my reading-between-the-lines comprehension skills.

C'mon Jerr I don't even think you needed to read between the lines to figure that one!

Originally Posted by Brian Robertson

C'mon Jerr I don't even think you needed to read between the lines to figure that one!

Brian,

I tend to think in complete sentences, I also tend to write in complete sentences, so when I read something like:

Originally Posted by Timothy M. Barr

no brainer put cover on box inform client to have qualifed electrician inspect box has a lot of problems as for 220 being used for 110 no

*I* *HAVE TO MAKE IT INTO* complete sentences to understand what has been written. Sometimes I win on understanding them, sometimes I lose on understanding them. I lost this time.

interesting salvage;There has to be better ways to save money and respect.
Does not the 220 breaker have one switch , that is internally
disconnecting both wires? and if so , as used as two 110 circuits , if one of the 110
lines was over loaded , would not both wires be disconnected?

Originally Posted by Stephen DeCosta

Does not the 220 breaker have one switch ,

No, two internal switches, both operated by the same handle and internal trip mechanism, but two separate switching devices.

that is internally disconnecting both wires? and if so , as used as two 110 circuits , if one of the 110 lines was over loaded , would not both wires be disconnected?

Yes, that would be the intent when using a double pole internal trip (or external trip) on a multiwire circuit: it shuts off the power to both 120 volt legs.

Check the UL listing book for that particular circuit breaker, and if UL has approved that particular 2-pole breaker, for use as single pole, then its use is "approved". if not, then it is "not approved".
Jim Hays

Few days ago at a inspection the DIY installed a 20 amp double pole breaker to supply the basement receptacles they finished. Somewhere along the line they must of split it for two circuits and tied the grounds and neutrals together.

I wonder if they where related to the other post that was asking questions on how to wire his basement............