A typical 240-volt, 30-amp circuit includes a double-pole circuit breaker, which has two terminals for the two hot wires. The need to remove strands of wire to fit the terminal is an indication of an error somewhere along the line. Look at the wiring in your home improvement store and you will see other specs, and the bundled wires will have different color sheathing as well. Just make sure you're using a switch that's designed to be used as a double breaker. Connect the circuit ground wire to the ground bar on the service panel by inserting the stripped end of the wire into an open slot on the bar and securing the wire tightly with the terminal screw. References. Jesse specializes in all aspects of home/residential wiring, troubleshooting, generator installation, and WiFi thermostats. A 3-wire, 240-volt circuit has two hot wires—each supplying 120 volts for a total of 240—and an equipment ground wire. A third neutral wire, called the pigtail, remains to be connected. Snap the new double breaker into place. 29 April 2020. Install the Double-Pole Circuit Breaker Hook the two tabs on the back of the 120v double-pole circuit breaker to the lock bar inside the breaker panel. Insert the end of the hot wire into the terminal on the new circuit breaker and tighten the setscrew. Attach the white wire to the neutral bus bar and the ground wire to the grounding bar. You don’t have to screw the breaker into place; it’s held in place by spring clips and the panel cover. Use the correct polarity i.e. Should I install an additional circuit breaker in my home? A 120-volt circuit has only one hot wire connected to the breaker plus a neutral wire connected to the neutral bus bar in the service panel. Depending on the model, you may need to install some additional wiring (which would be done in the same way as the wiring installed in an ordinary circuit breaker). These use four wires—black (hot), red (hot), white (neutral), and green (ground). Since you're forming a connection between the two legs, it doesn't matter which one goes where. To install a circuit breaker, start by turning off the power supply to the electrical panel and removing the cover over it. Many circuit breakers will physically fit into different panels, however only those identified on the panel's label are approved for use. Slide the end of the bare or green ground wire into an empty terminal on the grounding bar. However, installing circuit breakers into most residential electrical panels doesn’t have to be dangerous or overly complicated. The terminal size should be large enough for the wire to fit. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. This tutorial shows you the basic steps of installing a new 240-volt, 30-amp, double-pole circuit breaker for a new 30-amp appliance receptacle (outlet). But with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes are higher than ever. On each half of the breaker there will be a terminal for connecting the ends of a hot wire and a screw to secure it. A 240-volt, 3-wire receptacle has three prongs (two hot and one ground) to accept a 3-prong plug. Tighten the terminal screws securely. Wiring a 120-volt circuit off of a 240-volt circuit can be useful where there is primarily 240 volts available. The ground wire must use an open slot on the bus bar; do not connect more than one wire to a single slot. Most residential electrical systems are 2 to 5 times this value. Note that in a standard 240-volt circuit, both the black and white wire serve as hot wires, since there is … Slide the white wire into a space on the neutral bar. We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/elect/panel/breaker/install.htm, https://www.bobvila.com/articles/bob-vila-radio-removing-the-knockouts-in-electrical-boxes/, https://www.familyhandyman.com/electrical/breaker-box/breaker-box-safety-how-to-connect-a-new-circuit/view-all/, https://www.sikana.tv/en/diy/access-to-electricity/how-to-add-a-circuit-breaker-to-an-electrical-panel, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXciWsys6Nw#t=49s, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=235UCFnKE2o#t=09m14s, Installare un Interruttore Magnetotermico, установить выключатель цепи, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Slip the side with the attached hot wire under the tab beside the hot bus bar. Start eating vegetarian in 5 days, even if you love steak. Use the suitable voltage and ampere rating of switch with appropriate wire size and proper size MCB according to the load rating. The cables and the terminals they connect to in the service panel remain live and carry deadly current—even when the main breaker is switched off. This DIY bar has the perfect vibe for an outdoor party, for five people, or fifty! Turning off that breaker should turn off two of the wires. Connect the red wire to the left terminal on the "Line in" side of the GFCI. Plugs and receptacles for a 240/250-volt circuit can come in a number of configurations. 240V Simultaneous Wiring Both Lines from the main DB as power supply is connected to the thermostats and heating elements. A 240-volt circuit is comprised of two hot wires, a common neutral wire, and a ground wire. Reinstall the dead front cover and the door on the service panel. The most straightforward method for an electric baseboard heater is wiring the heater to an attachable single-pole baseboard thermostat. To remove the knockout plate, simply grip with the pliers and move the metal back and forth until it comes away. How do you wire a 240v? There are 17 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. In fact, most people choose not to do it themselves out of fear of being shocked. Pull the wire stripper toward the end of the cable to cut through the outer coating and expose the wires inside. If you detect any voltage at any breaker, call an electrician for help.Â. Connect the black wire to the other breaker in the same way. Determining Where to Install the Circuit Breaker, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e4\/Install-a-Circuit-Breaker-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-a-Circuit-Breaker-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e4\/Install-a-Circuit-Breaker-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid580936-v4-728px-Install-a-Circuit-Breaker-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"