a question about circuit breakers

[Guest 18340]

This is what my fuse box looks like. Are these single pole or double pole breakers?
I need to add two 20 amp breakers, so do i need just one of these (the ones in my box) or two?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Evl...

 

[HairlessCaveApe]

Your box got your double pole breakers on top and your single pole breakers on the bottom. What a perfict fit! Rite there on the bottom of the rite side it seems like you got room for your two 20 amp breakers. You got plenty room but I meen youl even be symetrical. Just knock out the knockouts on the bottom rite and put your breakers in. Put your breakers in first I meen, then put the cover back on with the knockouts removed.

 

[Guest 18340]

I'm abit confused. The breakers on the bottom, their are 2 to a slot, when the cover is on their are two 20 amp breakers in each "slot".
So, do i buy 2 single pole breakers and sandwich them together in one slot? I've seen breakers that are 1, but as fat as the 2 put together.

 

[PharmaCan]

"Double pole" simply means that the breaker can switch two wires. That description alone doesn't necessarily tell what you need. Are you trying to run a 120v circuit or a 240v circuit?

For a 240v circuit, you want a 240v breaker (DOH!) which are the larger breakers towards the top of your panel.

For a 120v circuit where 12-3 wire has been used, you want a "slimline" breaker. Those are the kind of breakers near the bottom where you have two breakers in one slot.

If you are going to make two separate runs with two separate neutral wires, you can use two standard 120v breakers, or you can use one slimline. If you are putting in 120v circuits, your electrician told you to get a slimline because that's what's in your panel now, because one slimline costs less than two standard breakers and because using them will leave you more space to expand.

PC

 

[DIGITALHIPPY]

Your box got your double pole breakers on top and your single pole breakers on the bottom. What a perfict fit! Rite there on the bottom of the rite side it seems like you got room for your two 20 amp breakers. You got plenty room but I meen youl even be symetrical. Just knock out the knockouts on the bottom rite and put your breakers in. Put your breakers in first I meen, then put the cover back on with the knockouts removed.

a-man brotha.

 

[Blowstrees]

Hey Evl,

Just trying to get some more info from you. What is the purpose of running the new 20 amp service? I mean are trying to dedicate a line for lights or ac's? How many watts are you trying to run and how are you planning on distrubuting the power in the grow room? Reason I ask is because there may be a better way to configure what your trying to do depending on what its for.

I basically did the same thing you are suggesting but instead of using two slimeline breakers I picked up a tandem breaker which is 2-20 amp breakers that will only take up one slot. Did two runs of 12 gauge cable to the room and wired them into a 2 gang box with 2 20 amp recepticals. each receptical having its own 20 amp breaker. One gets 1k ballast and the other gets another 1k plus the AC unit. The regular breaker that runs the power in the room runs the rest of the pumps and fans and shit.

But yea dude...Basically you can go with the two slimlines or the tandem. Make sure when you run the new service, you use 12 gauge wire. Im sure you know lol..but just incase.

Good luck

 

[Guest 18340]

OK, so let me get this right.
I need to run 2, 120v lines, so, i need 2 slimline breakers. Right? Those are the ones on the bottom, right?
I'm no electrician, and calling one out to my crib is DEFINATELY out of the question, so ya kinda need to explain it to me like i'm a simpleton. (Wait, i AM a simpleton! LOL!)
I really appreciate your help guys, thanks.

 

[Blowstrees]

What are you trying to power with the new circuit?

 

[Guest 18340]

I'm trying to power a 5k btu ac, and a 600watter with a 6" vortex. And in the near future i plan to add another 600w.
I figure i'll run the ac on one circuit and the lights and fan on another.

 

[PharmaCan]

What Blowstrees is calling tandem breakers is the same as what I'm calling slimline breakers - it's two breaker in one slot.

PC

 

[hoosierdaddy]

piggyback breakers

 

[fumancu]

I know everyone I have said this before.If its not permanit run to a board and mount with conduit. Check the link

http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=93799

 

[Guest 18340]

Hey guys, thanks for clearing that up for me.