One double pole relay or two single pole relays for live and neutral?

Question

I'm designing a PCB that will control AC 240V electric tools. For now I decided to use a single double pole relay to switch live and neutral lines.

Is it also safe to use two separate single pole relays (one for each lines) that would be controlled by the same signal at the same time ?

2 relays would be cheaper than a double pole one.

I'm asking this question cause I'm thinking of the case where one relay would break and only one would remain good.

Answer 1

I see the next advantages/disadvantages:

1 double pole relay:

• + smaller area
• + synchronous switching of live&neutral (if any appliance needs this ...)
• + easier to control
• - price
• - more challenging PCB routing for high power
• - if the relay fails, then ... you have no control

2 single pole relays:

• + cheaper
• + easier to route on PCB (especially on higher power)
• + if 1 relay fails, you can still switch off the other one
• - increased area on PCB
• - there might be timing diffs between switching live&neutral (if any appliance is affected by this ...)
• - you need to control 2 relays, not 1

Depending on this (let me know if you see other pros/cons or if you see it differently) you can choose your best option.

(Personally I need a latching relay for ~10A @ 230AC , and I think I will go on 2 SPST relays because of the disadvantages of the 1st option)