If the power rating of an appliance is 40 amps at 208 volts & 240 volts, can I use a double pole 20amp breaker

Question

I am installing a new electric stove and i am running a dedicated line to it. Can I use a double pole 20amp breaker?

And what guage would you reccomend? 10/2? 8/2?

Answer 1

No. You have an appliance that will draw 40 amps on two lines for the heating elements. A double 20 amp breaker will trip as soon as either pole reaches 20 amps. You need a double 40 and you need the gage of wire to handle about 50 amps. The 8 has 55 amps but 10 has 40 amps. For the difference in price I would go with the 8 to make sure the ampacity is appropriate.

Answer 2

Electric stoves are usually installed on a 240 volt 50 amp circuit. That is 50 amps on each line. You don't add the double pole together. Your 2 pole 20 amp breaker will trip if either of them exceeds 20 amps. The wire for a 50 amp range circuit would be number 6 copper. I think you should call an electrician so you don't get hurt or burn your house down. Electricity is nothing for untrained people to try and muddle through.

Answer 3

208 volts is usually a 3 phase voltage, 240 is single phase, and if indeed draws 40 amps at 240 volts, then you must up size to the next breaker size, as the 80% rule applies, and that means (as another stated ) you are only good for 32 amps on a 40 amp circuit, next size up is 50 amps with number 6 wire, and at 80 percent yeilds 40 amps safely
you need 6/3 wire as all new appliance now require 4 wire set up ( nuetral bonding is no longer permitted by code )

Answer 4

Use 8/3 and you must use a 40 amp double pole breaker. Don't listen to the idiots who tell you that you can use a double 20. Each leg will pull more than 20 amps period. That's why they make 20, 30 40 amp double pole breakers. So each leg will be able to pull that much amps. Keep in mind you wont be pulling 40 amps but you must have a breaker that will handle a large inrush of current with out tripping. The most you can have on any breaker or wire by code is 80% of its stated load. IE; 40 amp can only have on it 32 amps. if you used a 20 amp double you could only pull 16 amps. Look that up in any code book. Dont trust most of the info you get on here, unless you want to trip breakers or burn your house down. I really suggest you hire a contractor to do this as its obvious you dont know what you are doing.

Answer 5

The lower the wire gauge the thicker the wire so I would go with gauge 8. That gives you the ability to conduct more of the electricity safely. Most household extension cords are gauge 16, but heavier shop extension cords are usually gauge 14 so they can handle more amperage.

If you draw 40 amps then you really need a 40 amp circuit breaker. However, in the US we reach 240 volts by combining two 120 lines. If you put a 20 amp circuit breaker on each line prior to combining them then you can handle the load. I have seen this done in residential housing for the exact application that you are talking about.

The double pole 20 amp breaker you are talking about would have to have 2 switches each labeled 20 amps to be the type of circuit breaker I am talking about. But, you must make sure that you are feeding only 120 volts into each side of the breaker. If you are feeding the full 240 volts then you need a 40 amp breaker.

I would recommend hiring an electrician to do this job for you. Not only can they make sure the circuit breaker and line is done right, they can make sure the correct gauge of wire is used AND they can insure that the new connection will meet the local code. You can't do that by yourself, you need a licensed electrician to do it. If you make a mistake and, heaven forbid, your house catches fire then it will be your fault for not having a licensed electrician do the work, your insurance company will not pay for the damage and you could get fined. Play it safe and hire an electrician to do the work.

Answer 6

no ! your using 6/3 wire right? your gonna ened a 2 pole 60 amp breaker
14 gauge - 15 amp
12 - 20 amp
10 - 30 amp

Answer 7

nope you need a double pole 40 amp breaker

Answer 8

40 double pole
Use an 8/3 with ground. all newer houses use four wire setups for appliances like ranges and dryers. well where i'm from anyway. Better yet, call an electrician.

Answer 9

I'd go with at least a 40 or 50 and the wire gauge will depend on the distance. You can probably find a chart on the net under "electric codes". good luck.

Answer 10

No Way I would use a 20 Ampere breaker.! I would use a separate panel rated 60A for this job.
Time to add a breaker box. 8/3 is the minimum I would use 6/3 is a better choice.