Can Duplex Breaker be "unhooked" and used as 2 singles?

Question by BuckarooBanzai: Can Duplex Breaker be "unhooked" and used as 2 singles?
I have an old duplex 15A double breaker (Siemens) and the little metal piece that connects the 2 switches is removable, allowing each part to function as a separate breaker. I need 2 more 15A circuits in a new box and wondered if it was permissible to just remove the metal piece and use them as if they were separate breakers. I didn't see anything in Code, but just wanted to make sure before the inspection.


Best answer:
Answer by be_a_lertThe removable piece that you see between the two levers is there to make sure you get both poles when you reset the breaker or manually switch it off. Internally, the breaker is designed to interrupt both poles in case of a fault. It is not the same as two single pole breakers linked together.

They are not separate breakers and should not be used as separate breakers.

NEC may or may not specifically address this issue, I suspect that it does. In any

mystery pua