What is the difference between a double pole and a single pole power outlet?
Most homes in the U.S. have single phase, center tapped power. That is, the load coil on the transformer out on the utility pole by the street has about 230 volts across it with a ‘neutral’ wire connected at the center of the coil. You can get 115 v by connecting a load between either side of the feed and neutral – most of the stuff in your house does this. You can also get 230 v by connecting all the way across the thing – two poles, two phase is a common misnomer. The electrician that originally wires the house is supposed to try to distribute loads so that at any given time you are pulling half your load from each side – this will result in zero neutral current. Imbalances cause inefficiencies in the system. Huge loads like stoves, electric water heaters, electric dryers, and electric heat get connected “double pole” across the entire 230v for two reasons – first, twice the voltage for a given power means half the current – so wire sizes (strictly driven by current) can be smaller a
