240 Circuit Breaker

Electricity flowing through your circuit breaker is rated at 120 volts but it is commonly referred to as 110 volts just as electricity at 240 volts is typically called 220 volts.

240 circuit breaker. That s why 240 volt circuits need two hot wires and a neutral to carry the electricity to the appliance plus a ground wire. A 120 volt circuit has only one hot wire connected to the breaker plus a neutral wire connected to the neutral bus bar in the service panel. A double pole circuit breaker is clipped into both 120 buses at the same time so the voltage to the circuit is doubled. Arc fault circuit interrupter afci circuit breakers protect against an unintentional electrical discharge in an electrical cord or wiring that could cause a fire once the breaker senses the electrical jump and abnormal path it instantly disconnects the damaged circuit before the arc builds enough heat to catch fire.

In the main panel every other breaker is out of phase with the adjoining breakers. To safely protect 240 volt appliances a circuit breaker must be connected to each of the 120 volt legs. While the breaker provides this higher voltage it operates as two linked 120v circuits. Double pole circuit breakers are used in this case which consist of two single circuit breakers whose trip handles are physically tied together.

This breaker looks like two standard breakers stacked on top of each other and therefore requires that two breaker positions be open. 120 240 circuit breakers electrical panels protective devices the home depot. That way if either hot leg draws too much current both breakers will trip simultaneously. This is why 240 volt circuits connect to double pole breakers that are essentially two single pole breakers tied together.

Get free shipping on qualified 120 240 circuit breakers or buy online pick up in store today in the electrical department. The way you get a 240 volt circuit is simple. So in essence 240 volt wiring is powered by 2 120 volt hot wires that are 180 degrees out of phase. It takes two 120 volt circuits and a ground wire to form a 240 volt circuit.