Plumbing contractor here. I do everything myself. I came here wondering about tandem breakers "sharing the same neutral". I have electrician friends who filled my panel with "piggyback" breakers and no one ran a separate neutral. So WTF good are tandem breakers? I get it if you're on separate phases...the neutral is only carrying the load of one phase at a time....so how are tandem breakers even legal?
Working on GE panel in 1950’s house. Need more breakers as I remodeled kitchen and need places for feeds to can lights and gfi. I bought slim single 15amp and slim 20 amp breakers but I only have one cross bar in the back where breaker slot goes when you press it in. In other words I can’t put 2 slim breakers in same spot where single pole was. What’s my solution? Thx
unfortunately many early model breakers do not have a tandem version. the only solution here, in order to get more circuits, is to upgrade the panel...
My garage has two 15 amp outlets on either side of a tandem circuit breaker. Why did they use a tandem circuit breaker for only two outlets? Why not just use one CB for the two outlets. (And what amp rating would that be?) My compressor tripped one side of the tandem breaker. The compressor was advertised as being able to run on a 15 amp circuit but I can't have the lights turned on AND run the compressor at the same time. It's frustrating that the builder didn't put a beefier circuit in a garage, for crying out loud.
So lets say a 2 pole breaker rated for 20 amps will supply 20 amps to each hot wire? And do both hot wires have to be utilized in a circuit for the breaker to work?
Hi I have a 2 pole siemens breaker 15 amp regular size doesn't have the steel connect to trip both together can I use it on two different circuit [ it looks like 2 single breaker attach together ] thanks
So from what I understand, I can use a tandem 20amp circuit breaker to power an exhaust vent that has exhaust, light, and heat, since I will need separate switches for each function but all in the same outlet box, am I right?
What about the possibility of neutral overload using a tandem breaker? Theoretically, are you now using 40 amps (two 20 amp single-poles) to a single #12 gauge wire for the neutral?
funnyharleyman Yes, you are right. I appreciate the input. Currently, I am trying to gear each video to the "average" consumer's level, to reduce complex or confusing ideas as well as for the sake of time. I will include a discussion on the issue you bring up in the near future. Thank you.
I have a unique situation. I need to install a 50 amp 2 pole breaker for nema 14-50 to charge a car. on the panel, I only have space for 1 inch breaker on each side. In other words, i can install 1 breaker on each side of the panel... question is, can i somehow use the 2 spaces and combine 2 Inch breakers to make a 240.. or do they sell a very thin 50 amp 2 pole breaker that fits into a 1 inch slot?
There is no substitute breaker for a 240V piece of equipment, it must be a 240V 2-pole breaker, taking up 2 spaces in your panel. Tandem breakers are not 240V. If you need it for an AC and have no room, you need a larger panel or need to have a subpanel installed.
I believe I bought a tandom breaker that puts two breakers in the same space of the previous single breaker. All on the same bus bar. The two breakers are connected with an aluminum rod making them both trip at the same time. It looks like I can snip that aluminum so the two breakers work separately. Is that a bad idea?
+JohnJWWarner if I am understanding you correctly, you purchased a 2-pole (240 volt) breaker, not a tandem. That "aluminum rod" is a tie bar between 120 volt busses which makes it 240 volt. If you need 2 separate single pole circuits I would recommend purchasing the correct tandem breaker rather than modifying the one you have.
the new aftermarket ub zinsco 2 pole tandem is a 240v circuit breaker.... so let me get this straight here are all the types of breakers tandem 2 pole 30 amp 240v tandem single pole 15 amp, 20 amp120v single pole 15amp, 20 amp120v tandem 2 pole 60 amp,90 amp, 100 amp, 200 amp 400 amp 240v wich have i left out?
@@MassiveElectric It seems like the guy who installed my two new separate lines using the 2 pole circuit breaker so my question is can 2 pole work as tandem breaker? thanks.
I have a two pole tandem breaker GE model thqp230. I'm trying to supply 240v to my water heater. Based on what you're saying here, a tandem only utilizes one phase. Why is this model a double pole tandem if I can't pull 2 phase power from it? I only ask because I have no clue
+Amandeep Manku true. So if your panel is full, one way to "fix" it is to throw a pigtail off the breaker and wire nut all three wires together. This can be a difficult place to be in if your panel is getting inspected.
informative, but bad background noise
One thing with tandem breakers, never share a neutral with both circuits on a tandem breaker or you will overheat the neutral
Plumbing contractor here. I do everything myself. I came here wondering about tandem breakers "sharing the same neutral". I have electrician friends who filled my panel with "piggyback" breakers and no one ran a separate neutral. So WTF good are tandem breakers? I get it if you're on separate phases...the neutral is only carrying the load of one phase at a time....so how are tandem breakers even legal?
Thanks for the the simple and useful video!
T/Y for the concise explanation!
I had a feeling that's what you were going to say. Thanks for your reply.
Would have been nice to actually show the two.
and have a better environment. he couldn't have gone into a quiet room later that day?? lol
100
Working on GE panel in 1950’s house. Need more breakers as I remodeled kitchen and need places for feeds to can lights and gfi. I bought slim single 15amp and slim 20 amp breakers but I only have one cross bar in the back where breaker slot goes when you press it in. In other words I can’t put 2 slim breakers in same spot where single pole was. What’s my solution? Thx
unfortunately many early model breakers do not have a tandem version. the only solution here, in order to get more circuits, is to upgrade the panel...
@massive electric can you use two single pole breakers tied together as a double pole breaker? For a 220 circuit on a dryer
Really appreciate the help!! 👌🏼
really appreciate you watching Jordan
Straight forward! Nice 👍
My garage has two 15 amp outlets on either side of a tandem circuit breaker. Why did they use a tandem circuit breaker for only two outlets? Why not just use one CB for the two outlets. (And what amp rating would that be?)
My compressor tripped one side of the tandem breaker. The compressor was advertised as being able to run on a 15 amp circuit but I can't have the lights turned on AND run the compressor at the same time. It's frustrating that the builder didn't put a beefier circuit in a garage, for crying out loud.
Can i use a tandem breaker to get 240v?
So lets say a 2 pole breaker rated for 20 amps will supply 20 amps to each hot wire? And do both hot wires have to be utilized in a circuit for the breaker to work?
Hi I have a 2 pole siemens breaker 15 amp regular size doesn't have the steel connect to trip both together can I use it on two different circuit [ it looks like 2 single breaker attach together ] thanks
Can i use a 20 amp 2 pole breaker in my panel and just connect 1 circuit ( black wire 120volts), and not connect anything to other circuit?
So from what I understand, I can use a tandem 20amp circuit breaker to power an exhaust vent that has exhaust, light, and heat, since I will need separate switches for each function but all in the same outlet box, am I right?
What about the possibility of neutral overload using a tandem breaker? Theoretically, are you now using 40 amps (two 20 amp single-poles) to a single #12 gauge wire for the neutral?
funnyharleyman Yes, you are right. I appreciate the input. Currently, I am trying to gear each video to the "average" consumer's level, to reduce complex or confusing ideas as well as for the sake of time. I will include a discussion on the issue you bring up in the near future. Thank you.
I have a unique situation. I need to install a 50 amp 2 pole breaker for nema 14-50 to charge a car. on the panel, I only have space for 1 inch breaker on each side. In other words, i can install 1 breaker on each side of the panel... question is, can i somehow use the 2 spaces and combine 2 Inch breakers to make a 240.. or do they sell a very thin 50 amp 2 pole breaker that fits into a 1 inch slot?
Yes they make a 50A 2 pole breaker that fits a 1inch space. Some people called them mini double pole breakers.
Hey! :) Do you still answer questions?
hey shadow, I do
Can I legally connect two single pole breakers together? To make a two pole breaker?
@@jeffsmith1830 I done it and haven't had any problems, again I'm not an electrician
If I have a AC unit that needs 240. And a full panel. Can I use a tandem 20v breaker?
There is no substitute breaker for a 240V piece of equipment, it must be a 240V 2-pole breaker, taking up 2 spaces in your panel. Tandem breakers are not 240V. If you need it for an AC and have no room, you need a larger panel or need to have a subpanel installed.
I believe I bought a tandom breaker that puts two breakers in the same space of the previous single breaker. All on the same bus bar. The two breakers are connected with an aluminum rod making them both trip at the same time.
It looks like I can snip that aluminum so the two breakers work separately.
Is that a bad idea?
+JohnJWWarner if I am understanding you correctly, you purchased a 2-pole (240 volt) breaker, not a tandem. That "aluminum rod" is a tie bar between 120 volt busses which makes it 240 volt. If you need 2 separate single pole circuits I would recommend purchasing the correct tandem breaker rather than modifying the one you have.
the new aftermarket ub zinsco 2 pole tandem is a 240v circuit breaker.... so let me get this straight here are all the types of breakers
tandem 2 pole 30 amp 240v
tandem single pole 15 amp, 20 amp120v
single pole 15amp, 20 amp120v
tandem 2 pole 60 amp,90 amp, 100 amp, 200 amp 400 amp 240v
wich have i left out?
+Marty Forkwater for the most part yes. Tandem is 2 SEPARATE circuits (twp 120 volt circuits). 2-pole is 2 circuits together (one 240volt circuit)
@@MassiveElectric It seems like the guy who installed my two new separate lines using the 2 pole circuit breaker so my question is can 2 pole work as tandem breaker? thanks.
I have a two pole tandem breaker GE model thqp230. I'm trying to supply 240v to my water heater. Based on what you're saying here, a tandem only utilizes one phase. Why is this model a double pole tandem if I can't pull 2 phase power from it? I only ask because I have no clue
Watch the video again, he explained it
Can I use only one pole of a double? I only need 110v. I already had a dbl 30.
If its a tandem, you can use both or one, either way it will be 110
I had this question in exam , two wires are attached to a single pole breaker, it can only be allowed via tandem or double pole breaker ?? Thanks
+Amandeep Manku true. So if your panel is full, one way to "fix" it is to throw a pigtail off the breaker and wire nut all three wires together. This can be a difficult place to be in if your panel is getting inspected.
Pl find a good place to record your video back ground noise way too much???
I like how the video is all music. very informative.
How would you install a tandem breaker so both phases trip?
+mike7gerald Opps! I meant how to install the tandem breaker so that both breakers trip together. ( Both are on the same phase ).
Technically, you cannot. They make quad breakers for newer panels which will do the trick though.
oh! And the intro music sucks so bad, i rather listen to sesame street "sunny days" any time over this junk.
Whow bad, where the fuck is this, a shopping cart factory?