Show
You need to choose the right thermostat for safe and energy-efficient heating and cooling control. But should you get a single pole or a double pole thermostat for your home? Thermostats are an essential part of your HVAC system. You need to know about a few things before deciding what to buy. And that's why you should learn about the differences between a single pole and a double pole thermostat. And there's more! Keep until the end to learn how to install pole thermostats in your home. What Is a Pole in a Thermostat?Let's start by mentioning an essential component of a single pole and double pole thermostat. The pole of a thermostat means separate circuits that a thermostat can operate from. In single pole thermostats, the electrical current powers the device only in one direction, meaning that the circuits can't work separately. As such, you can't turn this device OFF without disconnecting it from a power source. The electric charge flows in two directions in double pole thermostats. This means you can quickly turn these thermostats OFF (something single-pole devices can't do). Low-Voltage vs. Line-Voltage Thermostats: How Do They Work?Thermostats use low voltage and line voltage for heating and cooling control. What makes these types of devices different? First, let's see how all thermostats work. When the heating (cooling) device is ON, the circuit closes the thermostat, allowing the electricity to power the heating element. When the set temperature is reached, the thermostat automatically cuts the electrical current, allowing the heater to cool down. This process repeats in cycles to maintain the desired indoor temperature. A low voltage device is wired directly into the control device. These thermostats are cheap and require about 24 Volts to work. Low voltage thermostats use much less power than line-voltage thermostats, and they are widely used to control:
Line-voltage thermostats work from circuit breaker boxes that provide from 120 to 240 Volts. This is the most popular voltage that you can find in devices such as:
Line-voltage thermostats are excellent for most heating and cooling control systems. They usually work without transformers that reduce the voltage. Furthermore, all single pole and double pole thermostats are line-voltage relays. What Is a Single Pole Thermostat?Single pole thermostats
are line-voltage devices that control the HVAC equipment. Single pole switches are wired directly to the circuit breaker and operate in one direction of the electrical current. What Is a Double Pole Thermostat?Double pole thermostats (also known as four-wire controls) are line-voltage devices that control the heating equipment with two-directional electric currents. A double pole thermostat is wired into the circuit breakers just like a single point thermostat. However, these HVAC thermostats have a real OFF setting that completely isolates them from the HVAC system. The double pole thermostat won't measure the room temperature and activate automatically in the offline mode. This is a more convenient and energy-efficient solution for most users. And it's always safer when the heating equipment doesn't turn on when you're away from your home. How to Identify a ThermostatSeems pretty straightforward so far, right? We have great news. You can identify single pole and double pole thermostat differences in a few easy steps.
And what if you see more than four wires? In that case, you're looking at a low voltage thermostat. These devices can't control electric heating equipment and won't have any use for your HVAC system. Don't detach the device if it's on! Remember to turn off the power at the breaker first. Afterward, you can safely disconnect the thermostat from the heating equipment (or the wall) to see its back. Now, let's see how you can install a thermostat. Installing a ThermostatDo you set up a thermostat safely without a professional technician? Great news! We will describe how to perform a double and single pole thermostat installation step-by-step.
A single-pole and double-pole thermostat installation processes are slightly different because of the wiring. How to Install a Single-Pole Thermostat
How to Install a Double Pole Thermostat
Now, you still have a few steps left to finish the installation:
And your HVAC system is ready! You can now turn the power on at the circuit breaker. How to Choose the Right Thermostat for Your Home?So, what's the best type of thermostat for you? Let's look at the differences between single pole and double pole thermostats from several perspectives:
And if you're in a hurry, here's a comparison table between these types of thermostats.
ConclusionAnd this concludes our guide of the differences between single pole and double pole thermostats! Now you should know what type of thermostat will work better for you. Blackhawk Supply offers a wide selection of high-quality thermostats. Check it out and buy today! Can I use a double pole thermostat on a 120V heater?NO. You cannot install a 120V mat on one leg of a double pole breaker. There is no neutral leg on a double pole breaker and the polarity between the two sides does not match. This will cause the thermostat to trip and/or it will send too much voltage into a 120V heater.
What is better single pole or double pole thermostat?Both are types of line voltage thermostats, which typically control radiant, convection or resistance heaters. The difference is all about the off setting -- or a lack of one. Double pole stats have a true off setting. Single pole thermostats don't.
What is a double pole thermostat used for?Double pole thermostats (also known as four-wire controls) are line-voltage devices that control the heating equipment with two-directional electric currents. A double pole thermostat is wired into the circuit breakers just like a single point thermostat.
How do you wire a double pole thermostat?For double-pole thermostats:. Using wire connectors, connect a hot supply wire, which is typically black, to thermostat wire one (typically it is marked L1 or Line).. Connect the remaining supply wire, which is typically white, to the second thermostat wire (typically marked L2 or Line).. |