From: pjm@see_my_sig_for_address.com
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house alt.hvac
Subject: Re: In a bad way...
Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2003 16:46:18 GMT

On 11 Aug 2003 09:20:10 -0700, modervador@worldnet.att.net
(modervador) wrote:

>"Multi-pole circuit breakers shall be common-trip such that an
>overload or short circuit on any one pole will result in all poles
>opening simultaneously."

	Yep.  Think about it.  If they worked independently, why would
there be such a thing as 'double pole breakers' ?  All you would need
is two singles, on different phases.

	Go look at your service panel ( or any service panel ).  See
how the handles of the 2-pole breakers are tied together physically ?
( And I say this with confidence, not knowing what brand you have,
because it doesn't matter ).  You can't trip one without tripping the
other no mater how hard you try, which is exactly the idea.

	Touch one out to ground, see what happens.  Guys, this is 'an
absolute'.  The poles are tied so that if one trips, the other opens
with it.  Always been that way, no exceptions.  It's why they were
invented ( instead of just using two singles ) !



Paul ( pjm @ pobox . com ) - remove spaces to email me
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