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Can 12 2 w gnd wire be used for two different 20 amp circuits safely meaning I would have two separate circuits on two separate 20 amp breakers There would only be 1 white wire returning?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Yes, you can do this, but there are a few rules to follow. The white wire(neutral) should be solidly made at all device boxes in other words do not use the receptacle terminals, make all the joints solid and pigtail to the receptacle. The breakers need to be adjacent to each other in the panel, side by side on opposite buss bars. If you put them on the same buss you will overload the neutral. Use a handle tie on the breakers.
I am sorry. It was the wrong question. The question really should have been: Can you wire two separate 20 amp circuits using one single romex 12-3 w/ground. Each circuit would have it's own 20 amp breaker. The Red wire would be landed on one breaker. The Black wire would be landed on another breaker. Only one #12 white wire would be available for neutral. My theory is: If you were to load both circuits to say 19 amps each, you would have 38 amps being used. The problem lies in the single white neutral's ability to handle 38 amps on it's own. Wouldn't this be a problem? Would this configuration pass in spection? You can do this with 12/3, you still have to make up your neutrals at device boxes. the neutral would not have to handle 38 amps as long as you use opposite 110volt buss. the current on the neutral if both breakers were drawing 16 amps each would be "0". The neutral only has to carry the imbalance of the two circuits. If one breaker draws 16 amps and the other 8 the current on the neutral would be 8 amps. Breakers have to be on opposite buss! for this to work. Yes, it should pass inspection.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
No, sharing a neutral wire between two 20 amp circuits is not safe because it can cause overloading and create a fire hazard. Each circuit should have its own dedicated neutral wire to properly balance the load. It is best to run a separate neutral wire for each circuit in this scenario.
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Do you have to pin breakers together when sharing the neutral on branch circuits?
Pinning breakers is becoming a thing of the past. This is due to the manufacturing of two pole breakers with one common trip reset handle. The electrical code states that on a 240 volt breaker if one leg trips the other leg must be disconnected from the supply also. This is a safety factor so that if they weren't tied together and one leg tripped the other half of the breaker would remain "hot". Any one working on that circuit in the tripped position could get a nasty shock from the un-tripped leg. Pinning the breakers on 240 volts was done because it was convenient to use single pole breakers in the distribution panel. To abide by the code the two single pole breakers were common tied together. When the branch circuits share a neutral to a common box they have to be common tied for the same reason above. This type of circuit is found on kitchen counter receptacles. Two separate circuits that share a neutral and go to separate junction boxes do not need the breakers tied.
Any problems with shared neutral for for 4 15 amp breakers each on dedicated circuits?
Using a shared neutral for 4 separate 15 amp circuits with dedicated breakers can lead to issues with overloading the neutral wire. This setup can cause unbalanced loads, leading to potential overheating and safety hazards. It is recommended to use individual neutral wires for each circuit to ensure proper function and safety.
What is an electric shared neutral?
An electric shared neutral is a wiring configuration where multiple circuits share a common neutral wire. This setup is commonly found in residential electrical systems to save on materials and space. However, it requires proper installation and balancing of loads to avoid overloading the shared neutral wire.
Can a 100 amp main have 2 50 amp breakers?
Yes, a 100 amp main panel can have 2 separate 50 amp circuits protected by 50 amp breakers. This configuration allows for two separate circuits drawing up to 50 amps each from the main panel without overloading the panel's 100 amp capacity.
Can you replace double pole with two single poles?
Yes, you can replace a double-pole circuit breaker with two single-pole circuit breakers if they are connected to separate circuits. It's important to ensure that both single-pole breakers have the appropriate ampacity and are properly installed according to electrical code.
Why are ranges on separate breakers from refrigerators?
Because of the different ranges of amperages of each device.
Do you have to pin breakers together when sharing the neutral on branch circuits?
Pinning breakers is becoming a thing of the past. This is due to the manufacturing of two pole breakers with one common trip reset handle. The electrical code states that on a 240 volt breaker if one leg trips the other leg must be disconnected from the supply also. This is a safety factor so that if they weren't tied together and one leg tripped the other half of the breaker would remain "hot". Any one working on that circuit in the tripped position could get a nasty shock from the un-tripped leg. Pinning the breakers on 240 volts was done because it was convenient to use single pole breakers in the distribution panel. To abide by the code the two single pole breakers were common tied together. When the branch circuits share a neutral to a common box they have to be common tied for the same reason above. This type of circuit is found on kitchen counter receptacles. Two separate circuits that share a neutral and go to separate junction boxes do not need the breakers tied.
Any problems with shared neutral for for 4 15 amp breakers each on dedicated circuits?
Using a shared neutral for 4 separate 15 amp circuits with dedicated breakers can lead to issues with overloading the neutral wire. This setup can cause unbalanced loads, leading to potential overheating and safety hazards. It is recommended to use individual neutral wires for each circuit to ensure proper function and safety.
Can a garbage disposal be on when a dishwasher is on?
Yes, they should be on separate breakers.
What is an electric shared neutral?
An electric shared neutral is a wiring configuration where multiple circuits share a common neutral wire. This setup is commonly found in residential electrical systems to save on materials and space. However, it requires proper installation and balancing of loads to avoid overloading the shared neutral wire.
Can a 100 amp main have 2 50 amp breakers?
Yes, a 100 amp main panel can have 2 separate 50 amp circuits protected by 50 amp breakers. This configuration allows for two separate circuits drawing up to 50 amps each from the main panel without overloading the panel's 100 amp capacity.
Can you replace double pole with two single poles?
Yes, you can replace a double-pole circuit breaker with two single-pole circuit breakers if they are connected to separate circuits. It's important to ensure that both single-pole breakers have the appropriate ampacity and are properly installed according to electrical code.
When a home circuit breaker opens the lights in some rooms go off but the lights in some rooms stay on. Explain why.?
The circuit breakers in a panelboard feed separate circuits. The lights that stay on are on a different circuit than the ones that go off. To fine the circuit that feeds the lights that stay on, go to the panelboard and turn off the breakers one by one until the lights go out. This is the circuit that feeds that circuit of lights. Remember that lights and receptacles can be on the same circuit together.
How do you wire two lighting circuits through a time clock?
If you mean two separate circuits from different breakers, you will need a 2-pole time clock. The circuits will need to be kept completely separate, including neutrals. Remember that a time clock is just a switch operated by a timer and you only switch the hot wires. The clock will be operated by one of the circuits. For this you will need the neutral of that circuit connected to the neutral contact of the clock. This is all rather simple if you can follow the wiring diagram provided with the clock. I doubt you can find a 2-pole clock at the local hardware or home improvement store. You may have to go to an electrical supplier. I say this is simple and for an electrician it is. If you get the clock you need and it doesn't make sense to you in a minute or two you should not attempt to do this yourself. Crossing the hot wires or connecting the wrong neutrals to each other can create very unsafe conditions.
Can a 240 circuit with red black white and bare ground be changed into two separate 120 volt circuits using the same neutral white wire for both 120 volt circuits?
No, a neutral wire should not be shared between two separate 120 volt circuits. Each 120 volt circuit requires its own dedicated neutral wire to maintain safety and prevent overloading. Sharing a neutral wire between two circuits can result in overloading, tripped breakers, and potential electrical hazards.
Why don't my brake lights work but my tail lights do?
they are two separate circuits
Why brake light and turn signal don't work but hazards works?
They have separate circuits with separate fuses and separate flasher relays depending on what year the truck is.
