Question on substituting household breaker

[gygeneral]

I would like to replace a 240v breaker on my panel with two individual 120v breakers. I've attached a pic of the panel where the single 240v breaker was and also pictures of what I took out. I need a few individual circuits and this one was not being used. Question can I do this? I can't think why not but I tought I better ask to make sure there is something I'm not seeing.
Thanks for your input

 

[mcj115]

First go simple...check you model of box to see if there are slimline breakers available where you can fit two 120v circuits in one space.

 

[dfiler2]

Yes you can, the 240 volt is just picking up 2 120 volt lines on different legs in the panel.

 

[gygeneral]

Ok so I need thinner breakers to start with to fit in that space. Makes sense didn't realize that. Make of breakers is Square D not sure about the box off hand. But I will check tomorrow.
I got questioning myself when I seen the little tabs where it gets the power from going to the upper bar and the other from the lower bar.
Many thanks

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

Yes you can do this!
Just buy TWO single pole Square D QO breakers and install them and abandon the two wires that were on the double pole breaker...... Hand a tag on the abandoned wires saying where they went to.

 

[dfiler2]

Square D has Homline and QO, those appear to be "QO", the 120 volt will generally be half the width of the 240 volt.

 

[harley jim]

What dfiler2 said
Just go to lowes and pick up 2 new breakers just like the other ones in your panel. [emoji106]

Sent from my SM-A102U using Tapatalk

 

[walta]

Yes if the old 240V breaker had no wires connected to it.

Walta

 

[wyliesdiesels]

First go simple...check you model of box to see if there are slimline breakers available where you can fit two 120v circuits in one space.

you mean tandems breakers?

Sq D Qo does not have slimline breakers like GE

 

[gygeneral]

Thanks everyone, it appears based on the size I can install two regular size breakers in place of the 240v one i took out. This 240v wasn't being used so I don't have to worry about any existing wiring.

Hardware Stores will be allowed to open with some restrictions on May 9th around here, so you know where I will be that day.

Many thanks

 

[mike93lx]

I would be installing a pair of tandem 120v breakers if the panel is full already. You'll go from adding 2 circuits to adding space for 4 and it will save you from doing this all over when you need to add something else down the road

 

[gygeneral]

I would be installing a pair of tandem 120v breakers if the panel is full already. You'll go from adding 2 circuits to adding space for 4 and it will save you from doing this all over when you need to add something else down the road

Good idea, if I have to buy breakers anyhow , this would make sense

 

[mike93lx]

Just make sure the spaces are listed for them. Should indicate on the label of the panel. Some panels only allow for certain spaces to take tandems