Whats a single pole 50A breaker for?

[tankd0g]

I knew that my old ITE Blue Pennant panel only had a maximum breaker size of 50A available, I had always assumed it was a 2P/240v breaker. Turns out it is only a single pole, which I guess is going to be useless to me for feeding the garage, I'll have to go 2P 40A for now. Can anyone tell me why this 50A even exists? I don't think I could legally use a pair of them to feed 240 so I can't think of what it would be used for.

 

[Ryf]

50 amp could run 3-120v 15amp circuits on a sub panel, which would be more than enough for a parking area with lights, garage door opener and some odds and ends outlets on the wall.

all that said, are you sure is single phase? some dual phase have only one physical switch on the front, would still have 2 wire spots on the bottom and would have to be 2 slots wide. not doubting you just making sure we are clear

 

[tankd0g]

50 amp could run 3-120v 15amp circuits on a sub panel, which would be more than enough for a parking area with lights, garage door opener and some odds and ends outlets on the wall.

all that said, are you sure is single phase? some dual phase have only one physical switch on the front, would still have 2 wire spots on the bottom and would have to be 2 slots wide. not doubting you just making sure we are clear

I honestly don't know since I have never seen one. Siemens still makes a replacement and it's listed in their catalog as a BL1 which seems to suggest single pole. With their BL2 breakers only going up to 40A. I'm running 4AWG ACWU 90 cable to the garage, I was hoping to use a 50A breaker but I guess it will have to be 40A if I want 240 out there. Some day I will replace the panel in the house but it's not worth it for me to do it right now.

 

[Norcal]

From what I have heard is that those panels are obsolete in Canada, perhaps it's time to think about getting it replaced.

 

[Ryf]

whats your planned use of the space? a 40 amp can run most mig welders that are under around 200 amps (I think my hobart 190 is only like 21amps 220v for example)

is the garage attached or detached? attached I'd say hook you a dedicated line for the 220 for your needs (compressor/welder whatever) and if you want more outlets, run that on the 50 amp to a sub panel and split it out, just make sure you add up your "load sides" and try and keep your load balanced.

if your detached then your kinda screwed on that one. my in laws had a detached shop with a kinda under capable house to feed it, ended up putting in a new box in the house to feed the old box (making old box a sub panel) and going from there. wasn't easy or really very cheap, but fixed the problem.

 

[tankd0g]

whats your planned use of the space? a 40 amp can run most mig welders that are under around 200 amps (I think my hobart 190 is only like 21amps 220v for example)

is the garage attached or detached? attached I'd say hook you a dedicated line for the 220 for your needs (compressor/welder whatever) and if you want more outlets, run that on the 50 amp to a sub panel and split it out, just make sure you add up your "load sides" and try and keep your load balanced.

if your detached then your kinda screwed on that one. my in laws had a detached shop with a kinda under capable house to feed it, ended up putting in a new box in the house to feed the old box (making old box a sub panel) and going from there. wasn't easy or really very cheap, but fixed the problem.

It's going to be another detached garage. Right now I run everything I have on a 20a circuit and it's mostly fine except if the compressor is trying to kick over in freezing temps. The only addition is going to be a 4 post lift which has a 6a 115v pump. 40A is probably going to be fine, the up rating of the cable should prevent significant voltage drop. To spend $600 replacing the panel right now is not in the cards, especially since it would require an inspection and whatever else is found in that can of worms would probably add up quickly. The panel is long since discontinued, but at least the 40A breaker is available at Home Depot.

 

[Highbeam]

I have used 30 amp single pole breakers for the 30 amp RV plugs. No idea what a 50 amp single pole (120) would be used for other than a 120 volt subpanel. A zillion lights and outlets on a 50 amp circuit would **** since you would need to run heavy wire all over that can handle the 50 amps.

 

[williaty]

I use them for back-feeding a load center (which has branch circuits in it) for my alternative power (off grid) system.

 

[sberry]

large single pole breakers can be found on lighting circuits. On occasion you may see fixtures with their own internal fuses, this is so they may be installed on heavier circuits than 20A