[owl]

I'm asking about the middle switch of these three. Why would this be used as opposed to a single pole? Doesn't this picture show a switched neutral, which the Code prohibits? Thanks in advance.

 

[FrunkSlammer]

Switching 2 hot conductors off at the same time.

The main breaker in a 120/240 panel is a double pole switch. Or the disconnect.. or a switch for a 208/240V motor. Lots of situations.

 

[drsparky]

Your photo could be a 208/240 load.

 

[B4T]

Think of a switch for a 240V. pool pump motor...

 

[Rollie73]

Switching 2 hot conductors off at the same time.

The main breaker in a 120/240 panel is a double pole switch. Or the disconnect.. or a switch for a 208/240V motor. Lots of situations.

Stop answering guys............its perfectly explained.:thumbsup::laughing:

 

[circuitman1]

i belive the neutral is allowed to switched with the hot at places like a gas pump.:whistling2:

 

[SparkyDino]

"what is a double pole switch used for"?

:laughing::laughing::laughing:

 

[BBQ]

i belive the neutral is allowed to switched with the hot at places like a gas pump.:whistling2:

Under the NEC we are always allowed to switch the neutral if the hots are switched at the same time.

At gas dispensers the NEC requires we switch both the hots and neutral.

 

[owl]

Switching 2 hot conductors off at the same time.

The main breaker in a 120/240 panel is a double pole switch. Or the disconnect.. or a switch for a 208/240V motor. Lots of situations.

Thanks. I was asking because the picture shows a neutral being switched, though someone has said that is permitted in certain situations. I don't know the reason why it would be done, though.

 

[owl]

Think of a switch for a 240V. pool pump motor...

I have never worked with one of these. I'm assuming you just bring both 120 legs to it, so the double pole is used to switch them both off, correct?

 

[BBQ]

Thanks. I was asking because the picture shows a neutral being switched,.

Why are you assuming it is a neutral?

someone has said that is permitted in certain situations.

404.2 Switch Connections.


(B) Grounded Conductors. Switches or circuit breakers shall not disconnect the grounded conductor of a circuit.

Exception: A switch or circuit breaker shall be permitted to disconnect a grounded circuit conductor where all cir-cuit conductors are disconnected simultaneously, or where the device is arranged so that the grounded conductor can-not be disconnected until all the ungrounded conductors of the circuit have been disconnected.

I don't know the reason why it would be done, though

It's sometimes required.

 

[BBQ]

I have never worked with one of these. I'm assuming you just bring both 120 legs to it, so the double pole is used to switch them both off, correct?

More or less, but I would not call them '120 legs' I would just call it a 240 volt circuit.

 

[Meadow]

More or less, but I would not call them '120 legs' I would just call it a 240 volt circuit.

Does it matter?:whistling2:

 

[micromind]

I've used 2 pole switches to control 208 or 230 volt 3ø motors with built-in thermals.

Now before you jokers go and get your tails in a knot and rip me apart for violating the code at least 100 times, 430.84 plainly states that a controller need not open all conductors.

Note that it says 'controller' and not 'disconnect'.

Sure, it could be construed as hack, but it is absolutely code compliant provided the switch is rated for the voltage and HP of the motor it controls.

I will be out of town for a few days, so go ahead and rip me while I'm gone. I'll reply when I get back....

 

[BBQ]

Does it matter?:whistling2:

It depends, do you want people to think you know what you are talking about or not?

It's like calling it 110 volts.

 

[nolabama]

A double pole switch is used open two conductors simultaneously. They can be current carrying or not.

 

[wildleg]

(2011)

404.2
(b) grounded conductors. Switches or circuit breakers
shall not disconnect the grounded conductor of a circuit.

exception: A switch or circuit breaker shall be permitted to disconnect a grounded circuit conductor where all circuit conductors are disconnected simultaneously, or where the device is arranged so that the grounded conductor can- not be disconnected until all the ungrounded conductors of
the circuit have been disconnected.

404.8
(c) multipole snap switches. A multipole, general-use snap switch shall not be permitted to be fed from more than a single circuit unless it is listed and marked as a two- circuit or three-circuit switch, or unless its voltage rating is not less than the nominal line-to-line voltage of the system supplying the circuits.

. .

 

[Meadow]

It depends, do you want people to think you know what you are talking about or not?

It's like calling it 110 volts.

I don't see legs as a DIY term, rather slang used to describe something. Phase on a single phase service technically isn't right either but many electricians refer to it as such.

 

[nolabama]

I don't see legs as a DIY term, rather slang used to describe something. Phase on a single phase service technically isn't right either but many electricians refer to it as such.

I can't say a and b phase on a single phase system? Well how do I describe it when I buck em hard?

 

[BBQ]

I don't see legs as a DIY term, rather slang used to describe something.

We are all free to do what we please.:thumbsup:

As my first post said, I would not call it that. To me it makes me think the person saying it is under trained.