Interruptor help

[700jfm]

I'm ready to buy breakers for my new box. At the HD store they have two kinds that I was looking at in the 15amp. double pole for lighting and 20amp. double pole for plugs. One has a "NC" on it I think and it sells $18.69 and the other is $10.69 It just has an "A". What would be the best for the garage? What does the "NC" stand for, so I can go back to HD and tell the man in the electrical department what it means.

 

[nate379]

Any reason to not use single pole breakers?

 

[700jfm]

Ok it's a 15-15amp. Molded case Model Q1515NC for $18.00
Or a 15-15amp. Molded case Model Q1515U for $10.75

 

[700jfm]

Any reason to not use single pole breakers?

I think you get two for the price of one.

 

[walrus]

I think you get two for the price of one.

Isn't the NC a mini breaker? Has 2 small handles on it yet its only 120 volts.

 

[700jfm]

Isn't the NC a mini breaker? Has 2 small handles on it yet its only 120 volts.

Here it is
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...&productId=100128549&N=10000003+90008+502157#

 

[nate379]

"The product you are trying to view is not currently available."

Is there a reason not to use a normal single pole? They are the most common to use and $5-6 each for the ones I bought last week.

 

[700jfm]

"The product you are trying to view is not currently available."

Is there a reason not to use a normal single pole? They are the most common to use and $5-6 each for the ones I bought last week.

They have boxs of them here with the "NC" or the "U"

 

[Fast Orange]

First of all-I'm assuming from the part numbers that you're using,we are speaking of ITE/Siemens breakers.If so,the breakers you are looking at are tandem breakers,used to conserve panel spaces in full or near full panels so that more circuits can be pulled from the panel.They allow two single pole circuits in the space of a standard single pole breaker.As to the two for the price of one,a standard single pole breaker is $3-$4,a non NC tandem breaker is about $8-$10,and an NC is about $15-$20. An NC breaker will fit anywhere in any ITE/Siemens panel,but a non NC will only fit certain spaces in certain panels listed for use with tandem breakers.Tandem breakers should only be used as an alternative to changing panels or installing a sub panel.Because of thier size,they have a tendancy to operate at a higher temperature and nusance trip more often.There is no distinction as to use for lighting or recepticle loads.
Use standard single pole breakers for the best protection for the least $.

 

[walrus]

They have boxs of them here with the "NC" or the "U"

The panel you bought is listed for so many circuits, use of those mini breakers will exceed that amount and therefore break NEC. They're a last resort

 

[Torque1st]

Usually in a new application like you have the inspectors will only allow standard single pole breakers. If you have enough circuits to fill the box or require tandem breakers they will require a bigger box to be installed. It only makes sense to plan ahead for more circuits later. You do not want to be box-bound from the start.

 

[700jfm]

Usually in a new application like you have the inspectors will only allow standard single pole breakers. If you have enough circuits to fill the box or require tandem breakers they will require a bigger box to be installed. It only makes sense to plan ahead for more circuits later. You do not want to be box-bound from the start.

Thanks Torque Usually my plan is to do something and post it on here, and Wait for someone to tell me how I should of done it.
This time when the HD and Lowes was not sure witch would be better or what the No. or letters stood for. I asked what sold the most and that's were I came up with tandems. It's not a money thing, when I said "Two for the price of one" I meant two for the space of one my bad, so that's were I'm at. I have 16 circuits to pull from so I know I'm not box-bound. (Maybe amp-bound, but not box)
I will probably get the single one now, but I was about to get the tandems
I think I'm breaking a trend here. I'm sooooo glad I have this forum to ask the pro's and get the truth on the how to. I know my questions are a little lame and basic, but I promise not to ask how do you screw in a light bulb.

 

[JohnK007]

but I promise not to ask how do you screw in a light bulb.

Remember, "Righty tighty", "Lefty Loosey" as you are looking at the bulb.

 

[700jfm]

Remember, "Righty tighty", "Lefty Loosey" as you are looking at the bulb.

Yeah man I keep telling the wife that but I think she's twistlexic.

 

[Torque1st]

I keep having to tell the wife; "No, your OTHER right..."