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What Is a 30 Amp Single Pole Breaker Used for?

Written by Edwin Jones / Fact checked by Andrew Wright

what is a 30 amp single pole breaker used for

Breakers are used for a variety of reasons. They are installed in order to ensure that circuits are not accidentally overloaded, prevent other electrical problems, and regulate the flow of electricity in an electrical line.

Like with different types of equipment, there are also a variety of breakers, each with distinct usage. Nonetheless, for this article, we will specifically discuss “what is a single pole 30 amp breaker?” and “what is a 30 amp single pole breaker used for?”

For more info regarding this type of breaker, head on and read more below.

30 Amp Breaker Used for What?

There are several uses for a single-pole breaker. For instance, the main use of this type of breaker is to prevent the overloading and shorting of circuits. Aside from that, 30 amp single-pole breakers are installed for 30A/120V circuits.

Specifically, these types of circuits are commonly found in industrial (for specialized field equipment) and commercial spaces (though for minor electrical equipment only).

However, a 30 amp and 120 V circuit is quite rare in the United States; hence, you might be unfamiliar with this type of breaker.

Difference Between Single Pole and Double Pole Breakers

Distinctly, the difference between single-pole and double-pole breakers is how each is wired. Single-poles are wired with only one “hot” and one neutral wire. On the other hand, a double-pole breaker requires two “hot” wires that correspondingly share one neutral wire.

In addition, a single-pole breaker can only support 120 volts and 15-20 amps, while a double-pole breaker can supply 240 volts with electric current ranging from 20-60 amps.

Conclusion

As single-pole breakers are rare, knowing what is a 30 amp single pole breaker used for can be a niche addition to your electrical knowledge. As you see, you’ll never know when you will stumble upon a circuit that suits this device. I can only hope that I have written a clear explanation in this article.

Thanks for reading! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to comment down below.

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