house circuit breaker question.

[disney]

Let me say sorry if I am in the wrong thread. I was/am installing a new breaker to run at 240v air compressor. My panel was full, so I bought a double wide breaker that has two pairs of levers (inner pair, and the outer pair) I am not an electrician, but I have very good understanding of home elec. systems, and am very fussy about running everything very neat, etc., and have installed one of these breakers before (to run a welder, in addition to the water heater). My issue is the outer pair stays in the center position (neither on, or off). I can very easily push them(outer pair) to the on position, but they go right back to center (main power is off), and the outer pair will not move to the off position. the center pair works just fine. I have tried with power on, and off, no difference. Did I get a bad breaker, or is there something I am not aware of? Pictures might be possible if required. thanks to all who help.

 

[OrangeB2400]

It sounds like it's in the tripped position. Push it all the way to off hard then to the on position. If that doesn't work take it back and exchange it.

 

[CobyRupert]

"My panel was full, so I bought a double wide breaker that has two pairs of levers (inner pair, and the outer pair)"
- Do you have a picture? Having a hard time imagining what you're talking about.
- If the panel is full, where are you putting the breakers?

Other than that, like Orange says, sounds like they are tripped.

 

[disney]

Being as it is a 'special' breaker, I had to order it from an electrical supply co. I do not want to call up as a non-professional electrician, and say they sent a defective part, until I am positive...

 

[disney]

I removed a conventional 240 breaker (two units wide, and one pair of levers), and replaced it with this one.

 

[CobyRupert]

So why not replace with a conventional 2-pole 240V breaker?

 

[disney]

the one I removed powered the hvac, I removed it and replaced it with the ?quad? pole 240v breaker so I could (continue to) have the hvac, and add a 240 outlet for an air compressor.
I decided I was going to push the levers until it broke, or reset, and luckily it reset.... now if easily flips between on and off. Thank you to everyone who replied

 

[Cord]

Double breakers pull power from the same pole so you only have two 120 volt circuits, not 220. You would need to relocate two other circuits to the double breaker and then install a proper two pole breaker. That or just go to a subpanel.

 

[Inspector507]

He has a two pole twin or a two pole tandem. However you want to say it. The two outside handles tie together and will give you 240V. The inside two tie together and give you 240V. All in the space of one 2 pole.

 

[Inspector507]

I'm on my phone so it's not convenient to post a link. Just google 2 pole tandem.

 

[BethelHntr]

To make more room in a full service panel you can use tandem circuit breakers or peanut breakers, They use only one position but have two separate circuits, They can be used for 15 or 20 amp circuits, These will make room for your double throw breakers you need for 220v welders, dryers etc. Lowes and home depot carry these.

 

[OrangeB2400]

He has a two pole twin or a two pole tandem. However you want to say it. The two outside handles tie together and will give you 240V. The inside two tie together and give you 240V. All in the space of one 2 pole.

He has a piggy back breaker. It has two circuit breakers built into one. Two - Single throw double pole breakers built into one. They use these when your panel box has no more spaces available.

 

[Cord]

What, like this? odd arrangement of 2-pole breaker ties

 

[OrangeB2400]

What, like this? odd arrangement of 2-pole breaker ties

It would be like this but two side by side tied together.

 

[hr3]

Take the breaker out of the panel and see if it will hold in the on position.. Plugging it into the panel may have tweaked it.. If is still doesn't hold check continuity between where it plugs on to the panel to each output. Might I ask what brand ??? It sounds like a bad breaker !!!

 

[Inspector507]

Take the breaker out of the panel and see if it will hold in the on position.. Plugging it into the panel may have tweaked it.. If is still doesn't hold check continuity between where it plugs on to the panel to each output. Might I ask what brand ??? It sounds like a bad breaker !!!

I think he got it working right

I decided I was going to push the levers until it broke, or reset, and luckily it reset.... now if easily flips between on and off. Thank you to everyone who replied

 

[hr3]

I think he got it working right

Opps missed that part..lol

 

[ENC]

I'm on my phone so it's not convenient to post a link. Just google 2 pole tandem.

Might want to make sure safe mode is on when you Google that.

 

[Oldpath05]

Now that the OP problem is solved, can someone riddle me an answer. In years past I've wired a fair amount of single pole light switches and only a couple of brain teasing double pole light switches.
Now I want to replace a double pole light switch, and it seems like someone sometime somewhere (we wont name names) has change terminology on switches with out my permission. I Google "double pole light switch" and now I see 3-way light switches coming up, what is that.

Are 3-way light switches the same thing as double pole light switches or not? I spent ten min. searching Google with that question, 15 min. on YouTube with no clear answer, so I go to the next best thing,TBN

 

[LD1]

Not sure how to answer because I don't know what you mean by double pole switch.

A 3-way switch has 3 places that hook wires. Let's call them 1, 2, 3.

Switch up would connect 1-2 switch down would connect 1-3.

Not a double pole. Only 1 input path for power. The switch simply decides to send that power down either of 2 different paths.

Itsused for controlling a single fixture from 2 separate switches, and many different correct ways to wire up a 3-way.

A double pole (not sure I have ever seen one) or triple pole (3-phase switch) are different. In the off position all contacts are open, when on, all contacts are closed. While I haven't seen one, if they are made, I would assume a double pole is used for 240v stuff where you need to switch 2 hots at the same time. (Like a double pole breaker