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    jchoo's Avatar
    jchoo Posts: 69, Reputation: 2
    Junior Member
     
    #1

    Jul 14, 2012, 07:19 PM
    Breaker
    I've got a breaker that has two switches and each switch has a marking of 15A. Does that mean it's a 30A breaker or it's a 15A breaker?
    innkeeper9's Avatar
    innkeeper9 Posts: 20, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #2

    Jul 14, 2012, 07:47 PM
    In general those are duplex breakers designed to fit two breakers in a single breaker space. And, as far as I know it is not a 30 amp breaker, it would say 30amps if it were.
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
    Uber Member
     
    #3

    Jul 14, 2012, 08:10 PM
    If the switches on the breaker are connected together, you have a 15 amp breaker 240VAC. If the switches are separate, you have a 15 amp breaker controlling 2 120VAC circuits. Be careful with this breaker because some people have been known to use a double 120 in place of a 240 breaker. Do you know what is controlled by this breaker?
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
     
    #4

    Jul 14, 2012, 08:25 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by jchoo View Post
    I've got a breaker that has two switches and each switch has a marking of 15A. Does that mean it's a 30A breaker or it's a 15A breaker?
    Regardless if it is a skinny/twin/tandem or a two-pole, it is a 15A breaker.
    jchoo's Avatar
    jchoo Posts: 69, Reputation: 2
    Junior Member
     
    #5

    Jul 14, 2012, 09:04 PM
    If it's a 15A breaker then why do the poles each provide power to different items?
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
     
    #6

    Jul 15, 2012, 06:12 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by jchoo View Post
    If it's a 15A breaker then why do the poles each provide power to different items?
    I really don't understand what you're asking, but the best way I can explain it is the breaker is providing 15A to each pole, whether it is a single pole or double pole or twin single pole.
    It is either providing:
    -15A to one pole; 15A/120V
    -15A to two poles; 15A/240V
    -or 15A to two separate 120V poles. 2 times 15A/120V

    In NO case do you combine the amperages.
    jchoo's Avatar
    jchoo Posts: 69, Reputation: 2
    Junior Member
     
    #7

    Jul 15, 2012, 07:47 AM
    So you are saying that my 2 pole breaker is actually supplying 15A to each pole, correct?
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
     
    #8

    Jul 15, 2012, 09:26 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by jchoo View Post
    So you are saying that my 2 pole breaker is actually supplying 15A to each pole, correct?
    Exactly.

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