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.