Dear Readers,
I’ve a 220 water pump for the house that, when I trace back to the
main circuit breaker box, is connected to two (2) individual 15Amp
breakers located immediately adjacent to each other (one on top of the
other). I confirmed that tripping any single one will still leave a
live 110 feed to the pump. This is obviously not safe and I suspect I
need to either: connect the two breaker throws together (if such an
add-on connector exists), or purchase a double wide breaker with two
poles (if such a breaker exists). Do either of these "solutions"
exist?

All advice appreciated.
Thanks.
-Theodore

wrote:
Dear Readers,
I’ve a 220 water pump for the house that, when I trace back to the
main circuit breaker box, is connected to two (2) individual 15Amp
breakers located immediately adjacent to each other (one on top of the
other). I confirmed that tripping any single one will still leave a
live 110 feed to the pump. This is obviously not safe and I suspect I
need to either: connect the two breaker throws together (if such an
add-on connector exists), or purchase a double wide breaker with two
poles (if such a breaker exists). Do either of these "solutions"
exist?

All advice appreciated.
Thanks.
-Theodore
yes

Bob wrote:
wrote:
....
I’ve a 220 water pump ... connected to two (2) individual 15Amp
breakers ...
need to either: connect the two breaker throws together (if such an
add-on connector exists), or purchase a double wide breaker with two
poles (if such a breaker exists). Do either of these "solutions"
exist?
....

yes

As in both exist.

--

On Aug 25, 8:55*am, wrote:
Dear Readers,
I’ve a 220 water pump for the house that, when I trace back to the
main circuit breaker box, is connected to two (2) individual 15Amp
breakers located immediately adjacent to each other (one on top of the
other). *I confirmed that tripping any single one will still leave a
live 110 feed to the pump. *This is obviously not safe and I suspect I
need to either: connect the two breaker throws together (if such an
add-on connector exists), or purchase a double wide breaker with two
poles (if such a breaker exists). *Do either of these "solutions"
exist?

All advice appreciated.
Thanks.
-Theodore

The way it is now is fine, I would not lose sleep over it. Whats
important is as long as the circuit opens if there is a problem, does
not matter which breaker opens. Even though 1 leg is still live, it is
still protected by its own respective breaker. Of course if you ever
have to work on the pump, you have to remember to shut both breakers
off. I have a 220V A/C in a condo that is protected by 2 individual 15
breakers, no problems.
If you like to replace with a 2 pole 15A breaker to simplify things,
you may.

On Aug 25, 9:09*am, Mikepier wrote:
On Aug 25, 8:55*am, wrote:

Dear Readers,
I’ve a 220 water pump for the house that, when I trace back to the
main circuit breaker box, is connected to two (2) individual 15Amp
breakers located immediately adjacent to each other (one on top of the
other). *I confirmed that tripping any single one will still leave a
live 110 feed to the pump. *This is obviously not safe and I suspect I
need to either: connect the two breaker throws together (if such an
add-on connector exists), or purchase a double wide breaker with two
poles (if such a breaker exists). *Do either of these "solutions"
exist?

All advice appreciated.
Thanks.
-Theodore

The way it is now is fine, I would not lose sleep over it. Whats
important is as long as the circuit opens if there is a problem, does
not matter which breaker opens. Even though 1 leg is still live, it is
still protected by its own respective breaker. Of course if you ever
have to work on the pump, you have to remember to shut both breakers
off. I have a 220V A/C in a condo that is protected by 2 individual 15
breakers, no problems.
If you like to replace with a 2 pole 15A breaker to simplify things,
you may.

I disagree, I think the OP should replace the two breakers with a
single 240V breaker (basically two single pole breakers in a unit,
with the handles tied together. Fortunately this is fairly
inexpensive and easy unless he has an unusual/old breaker box.
Typical breakers are readily available at a big box (Cutler-Hammer,
GE, Siemens/ITE, Square D etc.) or electrical supply, and a 15A double
pole breaker shouldn't run more than $30-40.

nate

On Mon, 25 Aug 2008 06:16:58 -0700 (PDT), N8N
wrote:

The way it is now is fine, I would not lose sleep over it. Whats
important is as long as the circuit opens if there is a problem, does
not matter which breaker opens. Even though 1 leg is still live, it is
still protected by its own respective breaker. Of course if you ever
have to work on the pump, you have to remember to shut both breakers
off. I have a 220V A/C in a condo that is protected by 2 individual 15
breakers, no problems.
If you like to replace with a 2 pole 15A breaker to simplify things,
you may.

I disagree, I think the OP should replace the two breakers with a
single 240V breaker (basically two single pole breakers in a unit,
with the handles tied together.

Please explain why you think he should replace them.

G.S.

http://www.thegreathardwarestore.com...528&click=2744

$9.13

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"N8N" wrote in message
...

I disagree, I think the OP should replace the two breakers with a
single 240V breaker (basically two single pole breakers in a unit,
with the handles tied together. Fortunately this is fairly
inexpensive and easy unless he has an unusual/old breaker box.
Typical breakers are readily available at a big box (Cutler-Hammer,
GE, Siemens/ITE, Square D etc.) or electrical supply, and a 15A double
pole breaker shouldn't run more than $30-40.

nate

I must disagree. The way it is, not fine. If one breaker goes off, the pump
stops. A worker might think the power is off, but the pump is still "hot".

And like you say "you have to remember....." which is dangerous. I vote to
get the double breaker, and be safer than it is now. For your AC, and for
the fellow's house pump, also.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Mikepier" wrote in message
...

The way it is now is fine, I would not lose sleep over it. Whats
important is as long as the circuit opens if there is a problem, does
not matter which breaker opens. Even though 1 leg is still live, it is
still protected by its own respective breaker. Of course if you ever
have to work on the pump, you have to remember to shut both breakers
off. I have a 220V A/C in a condo that is protected by 2 individual 15
breakers, no problems.
If you like to replace with a 2 pole 15A breaker to simplify things,
you may.

wrote:
Dear Readers,
I’ve a 220 water pump for the house that, when I trace back to the
main circuit breaker box, is connected to two (2) individual 15Amp
breakers located immediately adjacent to each other (one on top of the
other). I confirmed that tripping any single one will still leave a
live 110 feed to the pump. This is obviously not safe and I suspect I
need to either: connect the two breaker throws together (if such an
add-on connector exists), or purchase a double wide breaker with two
poles (if such a breaker exists). Do either of these "solutions"
exist?

All advice appreciated.
Thanks.
-Theodore

On some breakers you can tie them together with a nail or screw through
the existing holes in the sides of the handles. You may be able to get
the tie bars at a store, but it may be easier to just replace the
breaker with the 2 pole for about $10.
I would check the amp rating on the pump to verify that the 15 Amp
breaker and wiring are large enough. 15A = 14ga, 20A = 12ga, 30A
=10ga. The pump also should be no more than 80% of the breaker size.
12A motor for a 15A breaker etc.

Kevin

On some breakers you can tie them together with a nail or screw through
the existing holes in the sides of the handles. You may be able to get
the tie bars at a store, but it may be easier to just replace the
breaker with the 2 pole for about $10.
I would check the amp rating on the pump to verify that the 15 Amp
breaker and wiring are large enough. 15A = 14ga, 20A = 12ga, 30A
*=10ga. The pump also should be no more than 80% of the breaker size..
12A motor for a 15A breaker etc.

Kevin


Sorry if this is a dumb question: if they are physically tied together
with a tie bar, and (somehow) a single breaker trips, will the trip
throw the switch hard enough to force the other breaker to switch off
together with it??

wrote:
On some breakers you can tie them together with a nail or screw
through the existing holes in the sides of the handles. You may be
able to get the tie bars at a store, but it may be easier to just
replace the breaker with the 2 pole for about $10.
I would check the amp rating on the pump to verify that the 15 Amp
breaker and wiring are large enough. 15A = 14ga, 20A = 12ga, 30A
=10ga. The pump also should be no more than 80% of the breaker size.
12A motor for a 15A breaker etc.

Kevin


Sorry if this is a dumb question: if they are physically tied together
with a tie bar, and (somehow) a single breaker trips, will the trip
throw the switch hard enough to force the other breaker to switch off
together with it??

Yes.

HeyBub wrote:
wrote:
....
Sorry if this is a dumb question: if they are physically tied together
with a tie bar, and (somehow) a single breaker trips, will the trip
throw the switch hard enough to force the other breaker to switch off
together with it??

Yes.

W/ the caveat the breakers are designed to be "ganged".

I'm not certain all are, but if they've got the hole molded into the
handles for the tie bar they will be...

--

Yes. That's the reason they are tied together. So that if one side over
loads, both will shut off. And then the appliance will be "cold" or
unpowered.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


wrote in message
...

Sorry if this is a dumb question: if they are physically tied together
with a tie bar, and (somehow) a single breaker trips, will the trip
throw the switch hard enough to force the other breaker to switch off
together with it??

On Aug 25, 9:32*am, Kevin Ricks wrote:
wrote:
Bubba wrote:
Hey Stormy,
That's why they make volt/amp/ohm meters. Only you would be dumb
enough to stick you hand in something that you didnt test first.
Maybe
you outta buy a better meter than that $1.99 Harbor Freight
Indonesian
model.
Bubba

Like all those who think they know better than the code writers,
you seem to view code as something foolish. Your logic could well
result in the death of a homeowner who while he should not be playing
with something he does not understand, well try.

I guess that is why they don't let you write the code.

On Mon, 25 Aug 2008 05:55:32 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

Dear Readers,
I’ve a 220 water pump for the house that, when I trace back to the
main circuit breaker box, is connected to two (2) individual 15Amp
breakers located immediately adjacent to each other (one on top of the
other). I confirmed that tripping any single one will still leave a
live 110 feed to the pump. This is obviously not safe and I suspect I
need to either: connect the two breaker throws together (if such an
add-on connector exists), or purchase a double wide breaker with two
poles (if such a breaker exists). Do either of these "solutions"
exist?

All advice appreciated.
Thanks.
-Theodore

Turn the two breakers off and put a piece of wire through them.
When one trips, the other one will too.
The hole in the handle is made to do this.

On Mon, 25 Aug 2008 05:55:32 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

Dear Readers,
I’ve a 220 water pump for the house that, when I trace back to the
main circuit breaker box, is connected to two (2) individual 15Amp
breakers located immediately adjacent to each other (one on top of the
other). I confirmed that tripping any single one will still leave a
live 110 feed to the pump. This is obviously not safe and I suspect I
need to either: connect the two breaker throws together (if such an
add-on connector exists), or purchase a double wide breaker with two
poles (if such a breaker exists). Do either of these "solutions"
exist?

All advice appreciated.
Thanks.
-Theodore

Where I used to live, I had a similar situation. Those breakers had
holes through the handles and I installed a bolt between them, then
verified that tripping one would turn the other off too.
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"The government of the United States is not, in
any sense, founded on the Christian religion."

On Aug 25, 5:55*am, wrote:
Dear Readers,
I’ve a 220 water pump for the house that, when I trace back to the
main circuit breaker box, is connected to two (2) individual 15Amp
breakers located immediately adjacent to each other (one on top of the
other). *I confirmed that tripping any single one will still leave a
live 110 feed to the pump. *This is obviously not safe and I suspect I
need to either: connect the two breaker throws together (if such an
add-on connector exists), or purchase a double wide breaker with two
poles (if such a breaker exists). *Do either of these "solutions"
exist?

All advice appreciated.
Thanks.
-Theodore

Add a listed handle tie per code; bolts, nails, etc will not cut it
per current code. The purpose of the tie is so both breakers will
open by a manual throw of the handle. The handle tie will not cause
both breakers to trip on an overload condition on only one circuit
breaker. That is OK because the purpose of the breaker is to
interrupt current flow under an overload condition, not completely
isolate voltage from both legs. Anyone working on the device being
fed by the circuit breaker needs to shut off the circuit before
beginning work, hence the purpose of the handle tie.