What Are GE Duplex Breakers?

Circuit Breakers

• Circuit breakers are the upgrade from fuses. When too much power is being used on a circuit and it becomes overloaded, the circuit breaker will "trip" and shut down the circuit. This is an advancement from fuses because a fuse would "blow" and need to be replaced while a breaker can just be switched from "Off" to "On." Circuit breakers come in a variety of sizes to accommodate the different amp and volt capacities that the various appliances in your home require.

Duplex or Two-Pole

• Duplex or two-pole circuit breakers are essentially double breakers. These are purchased as one unit, but they consist of two single-pole circuit breakers that have a shared handle and a shared trip mechanism. This type of breaker is required for larger appliances that have dedicated circuits, such as clothes dryers. Most wiring in the home is 120 volts, but larger appliances require 240 volts so a thicker wire and special circuit breaker like a duplex breaker are needed.

GE

• GE, or General Electric, is one company that manufactures circuit breakers. You can buy duplex breakers made by other companies, but if you are looking for a GE duplex breaker, you are looking to buy from General Electric. GE was originally founded in 1890 by inventor Thomas Edison, who at the time called the company Edison General Electric Company. The company shortened its name in 1892 when it merged with competitor Thomson-Houston Company, and it became General Electric. The company began producing light bulbs and the first electric fans more than a century ago. Today, GE continues to produce products such as light bulbs, circuit breakers and various appliances of all sizes.

How to Install

• To install a circuit breaker, turn off the power coming into the panel. Feed the wire for the circuit into the panel to an open spot on the breaker panel. Install the ground wire into the ground bar, inserting it into a slot in the bar and tightening a screw. Install the black and white wires into the breaker. The black is normally hot and the white is normally neutral, but with a 240-volt circuit the white is also hot. (If you install a 120-volt circuit, install the white wire into the neutral bar.) Strip the jacket to reveal the wire and install the wires under the screws on the breaker. With the wires installed, snap the breaker into place. Snap the side of the breaker on the outside of box in first and then angle it in until it snaps in place.

  Note: These are general directions. The actual technique may vary by the type of breaker and circuit panel you have. With a voltage tester, make sure there is no power at the box.