By Dave Rongey Summary:
Electrical Circuits Question: My house originally had baseboard electric heat. We changed to gas a few years ago. There are 3 sets of double 20 amp breakers not used now, they have the tabs to join the switches.
My house originally had baseboard electric heat. We changed to gas a few years ago. There are 3 sets of double 20 amp breakers not used now,they have the tabs to join the switches.
My question is can I take a 110 / 20amp line of one side of these? I am putting in boxes in my workshop.
I have read a couple of wiring books but no one seems to touch on that subject. please advise
Thanks PD.
Hi Paul - Great Electrical Repair Question! Paul if your asking if you can use 2 pole breakers for 1 pole circuits the answer is no.
If your asking if you could convert the old 220 volt wiring to 110 volt wiring the answer is yes - provided the circuit is totally identified throughout, in which case you would want to install 1 pole breakers in place of the 2 pole breakers and purchase blanks to fill the spaces.
Let me know if this helps.
From: Paul D.
Thanks for an answer Dave, that's what I will do,
Thanks Again!
From Paul
Windsor, ON. Canada.
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Skill Level:
Intermediate to Advanced - Electrical Repairs and Circuit Wiring is Best Performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Tools Required:
Basic Electricians Pouch of Hand Tools, a Voltage Tester and a Multi Meter.
Estimated Time:
Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools, work with electrical wiring, and the available access to the project area. Precaution:
Identify the project circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.
Important:
Modifying existing electrical circuits or installing additional electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.
This is a testing tool that is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
This is great to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring, is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets
Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency
Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included
Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect, Very handy and easy to use.
A wire stripping tool used to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.
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