Getting ready to install electric baseboard heat. Need to do four separate rooms, some single runs up to ten feet, with some rooms having two six foot units by using standard calculations.

From material read, I will need double pole 20 amp breakers, and using 12/3 wire

What is difference between single pole and double pole thermostats, which are safer for the tenant, and can eihter single or double pole thermostats be used if I need two six foot pieces instead of one eight or ten foot piece.


Thanks

First you need to calculate exactly what baseboard heat you are going to use in combination. Like your example of using two six foot units in the same room they will have to be calculated as a twelve foot piece for wiring size if you plan to hook them together and then use the same circuit.

Code states you can use a single pole thermostat for 220 volt baseboards but naturally two pole thermostats are are considered better. Each piece of baseboard or combination of pieces will have to have there own breaker with the wire sized for the total draw of the circuit.

Baseboard heat is not hard to install but depending upon how many you are going to use running out of space in the breaker panel can be a problem.

For more on single/double pole thermostats, see https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/electrical-lighting/wiring-220-baseboard-heaters-newbie-16251.html?highlight=double+pole+thermostat

With a double pole thermostat or other switch in a 240 circuit, the entire circuit is dead from the switch on when it is open. With a single pole one, everything is hot, even with no current flowing.