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I have several spare 240 breakers in my panel box. I'm adding 8 outlets from 2 different rooms. Can I use half of the 240 breaker instead of replacing with a 120, or should I pull the 240 and replace with a 120? One of the spare 240's has wires coming out but are no longer in use (for old baseboard heat).

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    ?hat size breakers and 8 outlets for two rooms on one circuit?? What wire size?
    – JACK
    Apr 3, 2020 at 0:19
  • What make and model are your existing breakers? Apr 3, 2020 at 0:56
  • You may also want to research Multi Wire Branch Circuits (MWBC) which use "240v" breakers to make two 120v circuits. You get two safe circuits that share a neutral wire.
    – JPhi1618
    Apr 3, 2020 at 16:51
  • Thanks all for quick responses. My existing single pole breakers are 20amp "D", type E. The 2 poles are "D" issue no. RT-1372. If that answers your question. Wire size: 12/2 (That's what I had)
    – Joel
    Apr 4, 2020 at 1:50
  • Can you post photos of the existing breakers please? Apr 4, 2020 at 3:27

2 Answers 2

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You can use either or both halves as separate single pole circuits as long as the amperage rating is correct for the wire size and receptacle type.

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Yes. The only issue you'll get into is if your nation's electrical code requires a higher grade of breaker. For instance most breakers in the USA or Canada need to be AFCI type. You'd be better off with single AFCIs rather than fooling around with a 2-pole AFCI.

In some cases, both AFCI and GFCI is required (or desirable) and in that case an AFCI+GFCI dual-mode breaker is cheaper than an AFCI breaker + GFCI recep(s).

If AFCI is required you cannot use an AFCI recep unless you run metal conduit.

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