What is the difference between a single-pole and a two-pole machine

Hello! I make wiring in the country and the question arose of choosing an input device for its protection. Tell me, what is the difference between a bipolar machine and a unipolar one, and can it be replaced with a pair of unipolar devices?

Sergei.

Answer

The main difference between bipolar differential machines from unipolar is that the first monitor the parameters of two lines and, when the boundary values are significantly exceeded, turns off each of them. The second, as the name implies, allows you to protect only one line.

It will not be possible to make a full replacement of the 2-pole difavtomat with two 1-pole ones. The thing is that a dual device has not only a common power lever. Its locking mechanism is designed in such a way that if a malfunction occurs in one line, the second will be disconnected.

If you install two single-pole devices, then in case of a problem on the line, only one protection device will work. At the same time, the current in the faulty circuit will not disappear - it will flow through the second difavtomat and the included appliance, and this is fraught with serious problems - up to fire.

We strongly recommend that you install a bipolar type input circuit breaker. As for the protection devices of the individual circuits that will stand after it, you can use both of them.

More information about electrical network protection devices is described here:https://aquatech.tomathouse.com/en/ehlektrosnabzhenie/difavtomatyi-i-uzo-v-chem-raznitsa.html

You can learn about the rules for connecting a difavtomat from this article: https://aquatech.tomathouse.com/en/ehlektrosnabzhenie/kak-podklyuchit-difavtomat-po-sxeme-i-zachem-eto-nuzhno.html