Double pole circuit breaker

This is going to sound like a dumb question, but here it is anyway. I bought a 15 amp 240v double pole circuit breaker at Lowe's to convert my new table saw to 240v. Along with it and the wire, I needed a new 240v receptacle outlet to plug the saw into. The sales person told me I needed a 30 amp receptacle because I was using a 15 amp double breaker, basically

2 - 15 amp poles = 30 amps. That just sounds wrong to me. Am I right in thinking that I need a 15 amp outlet?

Thanks for any help.

Reply to
Darrin
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You need a NEMA 6-15 receptacle (15 amps), just like you thought. I might have used a 20A breaker and a 15A duplex receptacle in anticipation of adding a dust collector (etc) later and letting it share the circuit with the table saw.

Bob

Reply to
zxcvbob

Ah, no. 15 amps, is the max either breaker will pass (I hope). I'm guessing you aren't an electrician, and I strongly suggest you get someone install the circuit for you. Better Safe than Dead.

tom @

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Reply to
Tom The Great

Your sales guy was wrong; if you're using a 15A breaker you should have a 15A receptacle.

nate

Reply to
Nate Nagel

He may not be a professional, but he did pass the first test of being qualified to do the work. He asked a question when he did not know the answer.

Reply to
Joseph Meehan

Even better, he wasn't afraid to challenge an answer proffered by an alleged expert that didn't seem correct.

Reply to
CJT

I think we have a winner! The salespeople at HD are just as bad. Or worse.

Reply to
scott21230

Not all of them. One near me had a retired master electrician with 40+ years in the trade. Almost felt sorry for him sometimes...

Reply to
Rick

Wrong. The same current will flow through each side of the breaker. This is a 15A circuit, not 30A.

Right.

Reply to
Mark Lloyd

First, yes, asking questions is a great idea, to prevent a problem.

What scares me is that, anyone would even alleged these people working at HD/Lowes are experts scares me. They are not doing the work, so they clearly have no investment in you doing it safely. I gutted a garage's wiring, because someone followed the advice of a orange apron wearing 'expert' over and over, till I looked at it.

The basis for why so much was wrong, was the home owner never thought there was a problem, so never asked a question.

LIke I said, becareful and get someone qualified to do the work. Being smarter than lowes sales person really isn't being qualfied. ;)

tom

Reply to
Tom The Great

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