I have a 60A subpanel in my workshop that is fed from a 200A Load Center in
my Basement. The basement breaker box has 2 Single Pole 30A Breakers(Both
on the right leg, right next to each other that feed the 60A subpanel. I am
just wondering, shouldn't I be using a 60A Double pole instead of the 30A
single pole breakers? I do have a 220 Outlet in my workshop but I rarely
use it.


Thanks in Advance,
-a12vman

a12vman wrote:

I have a 60A subpanel in my workshop that is fed from a 200A Load Center in
my Basement. The basement breaker box has 2 Single Pole 30A Breakers(Both
on the right leg, right next to each other that feed the 60A subpanel. I am
just wondering, shouldn't I be using a 60A Double pole instead of the 30A
single pole breakers? I do have a 220 Outlet in my workshop but I rarely
use it.


Thanks in Advance,
-a12vman


What looks like 2 30A breakers in parallel might actually be one for
each phase -- unless you've looked at how the bus bar is configured,
or can see them strapped together downstream.

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Yes, you are correct,the breaker should have a bar tying them together to
become a double pole breaker
"a12vman" wrote in message
. ..
I have a 60A subpanel in my workshop that is fed from a 200A Load Center in
my Basement. The basement breaker box has 2 Single Pole 30A
Breakers(Both on the right leg, right next to each other that feed the 60A
subpanel. I am just wondering, shouldn't I be using a 60A Double pole
instead of the 30A single pole breakers? I do have a 220 Outlet in my
workshop but I rarely use it.


Thanks in Advance,
-a12vman

yes...you should be using a 60 amp breaker....double pole

the question is this....is the wire running to the 60 amp workshop
panel large enough to support the 60 amp breaker....just because a
panel is rated at 60 amps doesnt neccesarilly mean that it is wired for
60 amps....size your breakers to the wire...

in the USA based on buffalo ny:
there may simply be a broken or missing linking bar here.
but the answer lies under the cover panel and within the 220vac outlet.
so first with an emergency rescue crew standing by and both hands in
your pockets have your electrician measure with his multimeter set for
ac the 220 volts across the outlet in the workshop.
hot to other hot = 220.
hot to common = 110vac.
the other hot to common = 110vac.
if all true then you have 220vac working in the workshop. but since the
various desired amperages are configured by the appliance's shape and
pins of the plug, we don't know all the history here.
there are possible variations in the use of the outlet since this was
wired, including possible 110v use from the outlet with an adapter of a
device rated at only 30 amps. it may also be possible the original 220
breaker was replaced in an emergency. the wire sizes and their length
will determine the amperage. the breakers will limit the power to
protect the wires and device.
please see
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/electrical-wiring/part1/