Abstract: An improved paralleled multiple pole circuit breaker employs a conductive element of known resistance connected in series within each pole. A bridging conductor electrically connects together the poles and balances the current flow therethrough at a location between the sets of separable contacts and the conductive element of each pole. The conductive elements are mass-produced plate-like blades of a material having a resistance that is substantially fixed and is substantially independent of temperature. During operation, the voltage drop across one of the conductive elements can be determined by directly measuring the voltage drop between the ends of the conductive element without additionally interposing copper, solder, or other materials between the locations on the conductive element across which the voltage drop is determined.