220 circuit for dryer - Two 110 volt circuits with 40amp breaker each

Bob Kontak · Bob Kontak's Garage

My pal is not sure how this works. His father recently passed and says the box in his house is ancient and is going to be replaced. It's a Bulldog/Pushmatic box which he read should be replaced due to operational issues.

That said, he has two 110 lines making up the dryer circuit. Each line has a 40 amp breaker. We don't know if you want 40 amp protection for the dryer if this is the way to do it. It's probably is but given we are not electricians we are just asking the question.

stevej37 · 02-13-2023, 08:26 AM

Just looked at mine.....two 110's with a 30 amp on each. It's never tripped a breaker.

908/930 · 908/930's Garage

I think the norm for dryer is 30A, so the 40A breakers could be a problem, what is the rating on the back of the dryer? As far as then not tied together no different then when fuses were used, just not the norm these days. Can you call the local hydro inspector and ask them the question?

Bob Kontak · Bob Kontak's Garage

(Hydro inspector is an electrical inspector - might be a Canadian term but I just googled it)

I posted this thread last night and then same again this morning.

Please disregard this thread and post to the other if you have input.

Thank you and sorry for the screw up.

70 year old breaker box. 80 Amp breaker to 220 dryer

908/930 · 908/930's Garage

LOL, yes possibly more of a Canadian thing, our main service provider BC Hydro, so they do the inspections. And I think all of our BC electrical is water driven generators.

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by 908/930

I think the norm for dryer is 30A, so the 40A breakers could be a problem, what is the rating on the back of the dryer? As far as then not tied together no different then when fuses were used, just not the norm these days.

I never saw two fuses that made up a 220 circuit that were not tied together down here in the US. They were always pull-outs with cartridge fuses. Usually a 30 amp pair for the dryer, a 40 amp pair for the cooking range, and a 60 amp main.

908/930 · 908/930's Garage

I fully agree and did mention that on the other post, usually tied together. But I was thinking the actual function would be the same as fuse where if only one would blow the other line is still hot, where a new breaker when tripped shuts down the circuit. Same holds with split receptacle circuits in kitchens breaker must be tied together, for good reason.

Have not seen a fuse holder like that for quite a long time.

Monkey Wrench · Monkey Wrench's Garage

one major distinction between fuses and circuit breakers. circuit breakers are mechanical devices that can sometimes stick and fail to trip. with a fuse, by design, that can't happen. breakers are common in modern houses but as long as connections are good and protection from touch is not an issue, they are arguably more safe.

often even in modern machinery with modern breakers there are still fuses used for this reason.

the wiring in your walls needs to be heavy enough to be able to trip the fuse without melting down. sometimes people don't know that and install too large of a breaker and that's an issue. Any appliance will specify the fuse rating, it will have an appropriate plug if not changed and that configuration is specific to the voltage and amp rating. dont exceed it. there is nothing to gain but a fire. you can safely reduce the fuse just dont increase one without knowing if the wires in the walls are rated high enough to support it. if you have 40 amp fuses where you should have 30 I'd fix that.
my house was all old 1924 knob and tube, I replaced everything myself under permit, and installed a larger panel. Now I can heat with electric if I want to. in some areas you need an electrician but I was able to do it under a homeowners permit. a lot of the parts I admired but removed them from service anyway.