Convert a 220 breaker into 110?

[dmk0210]

I have a circuit that once had a 220V baseboard heater on it. I've removed the heater and plan to remove the wiring from the breaker panel.

I need a 110V circuit for overhead lighting. Is it possible to remove the 220V breaker and replace with 110V breaker, then wire up a single 110 circuit?

I read about multiwire branch circuits and the associated caveats, but I don't want two circuits, just one.

BTW, I'll do all the overhead wiring and lights, but I plan to get an electrician to replace the breaker and connect the wiring to the panel. I just want to make sure this is doable before I start.

 

[bcassel]

If it is like most 220 breakers, it is just two 110 breakers hooked together, one to each side of your service. You can make it two 110s by just removing the clip that holds them together.

 

[pattenp]

The short answer is yes. The 220V DP breaker used two stabs in the panel whereas the 110V SP breaker will only use one stab leaving you an extra space for another SP breaker if needed.

Edit: Don't modify the 220V breaker, besides it may be to large of an amperage breaker for your new circuit.

 

[dmk0210]

Thanks for the quick replies guys!

That is good news.

When I Googled, I found all sorts of stuff on multiwire branch circuits and the dangers of the neutral getting disconnected. It didn't sound very good at all.

 

[alfredeneuman]

The 240 Volt circuit, in all likelihood, doesn't have a neutral conductor.

Just replacing the circuit breaker wouldn't do it, because the 120 Volt circuit requires a neutral, and you can't remark the 2nd (existing) wire unless it is a #4 or larger

 

[dmk0210]

The 240 Volt circuit, in all likelihood, doesn't have a neutral conductor.

Just replacing the circuit breaker wouldn't do it, because the 120 Volt circuit requires a neutral.

How can I verify that?

On the heater side, I had three conductors: white, black and ground.

 

[Professur]

On the 220V breaker you will have two wires. Take one and put it on the terminal of the new 110V breaker. Take the other one and attach it to the neutral bus bar. Make sure there's nothing else on that circuit before you monkey with it tho.

 

[dmk0210]

OK, I think I see. So I plan to run new wiring for the lights to my breaker panel.

If I disconnect the old wiring, and replace the breaker, then I should be able to wire up the new 110v wiring with a neutral?

 

[dmk0210]

Edit: Don't modify the 220V breaker, besides it may be to large of an amperage breaker for your new circuit.

Right, it's currently like a 20 or 30 amp. I'll put a 15A breaker in.

 

[James_B]

If it is like most 220 breakers, it is just two 110 breakers hooked together, one to each side of your service. You can make it two 110s by just removing the clip that holds them together.

Don't count on that. I just took apart a Siemens 220V double breaker as one side had gone bad, and I wanted to see if I could cut the good side free so it could be used as a 110V breaker.

I discovered an internal mechanical linkage between the two sides as well as the joining bar connecting the levers. Pulling out the internal mechanical linkage and removing the lever join would have let it work fine as a single 110V breaker, but there was a large hole in the each of the two adjoining faces of the double breaker in order to accommodate the internal mechanical linkage.

 

[alfredeneuman]

If you already have a white wire in the cable then connect the white wire to the neutral bar, and the black to the breaker.

Buy a new single pole breaker and a filler plate to install in the opening left in the panel cover, and you're good to go.

 

[dmk0210]

If you already have a white wire in the cable then connect the white wire to the neutral bar, and the black to the breaker.

Buy a new single pole breaker and a filler plate to install in the opening left in the panel cover, and you're good to go.

Awesome.

Thanks guys!

 

[TheEquineFencer]

I'd install a new Single breaker, remove the old wiring from the old double pole breaker and cap the ends of those two wires with a wire nut and leave them in the panel. Then I'd install all new wiring. That way you leave nothing to the unknown. Don't forget to install a block off plug for the open breaker hole.