ECN Electrical Forum - Discussion Forums for Electricians, Inspectors and Related Professionals
ECN Shout Chat
ShoutChat
Recent Posts
Increasing demand factors in residential
by gfretwell - 03/28/24 12:43 AM
Portable generator question
by Steve Miller - 03/19/24 08:50 PM
Do we need grounding?
by NORCAL - 03/19/24 05:11 PM
240V only in a home and NEC?
by dsk - 03/19/24 06:33 AM
Cordless Tools: The Obvious Question
by renosteinke - 03/14/24 08:05 PM
New in the Gallery:
This is a new one
This is a new one
by timmp, September 24
Few pics I found
Few pics I found
by timmp, August 15
Who's Online Now
1 members (Scott35), 273 guests, and 22 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
#206680 07/31/12 12:49 PM
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 830
S
Member
I don't have my code book handy but am reading from a print out of major changes in the 2011 code. It says, "Will not allow a neutral conductor to be used for more than one branch circuit or feeder". Does this mean no more shared neutrals on 14/3 or 12/3 ? thanks..

Stay up to Code with the Latest NEC:


>> 2023 NEC & Related Reference & Exam Prep
2023 NEC & Related Reference & Study Guides

Pass Your Exam the FIRST TIME with the Latest NEC & Exam Prep

>> 2020 NEC & Related Reference & Study Guides
 

sparkync #206681 07/31/12 02:11 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,381
Likes: 7
Member
sparkync:

The rest of that sentence answers your question....

Neutral conductors shall not be used for more than one branch circuit, for more than one multiwire branch circuit, or for more than one set of ungrounded feeder conductors unless specifically permitted elseware within this Code.

from the '11 NEC Handbook; NOT commentary, Code text.



John
HotLine1 #206682 07/31/12 04:58 PM
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 830
S
Member
Guess I just need to go and get my code book and read frown

Thanks a lot, Steve...

sparkync #206686 07/31/12 05:15 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
Member
The short answer is a multiwire circuit is ONE circuit. That can be 2 ungrounded conductors in 120/240 or 3 ungrounded conductors in 208 wye.
There are requirements about how and where these conductors have to be grouped and how overcurrent devices are coordinated (getting tougher each cycle it seems) but it is still one circuit.


Greg Fretwell
sparkync #206712 08/02/12 04:58 PM
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 830
S
Member
Greg, that being said, when did the code every allow a neutral to serve more than one branch circuit except with a feeder that is feeding another panel?

Last edited by sparkync; 08/02/12 04:59 PM.
sparkync #206716 08/02/12 06:02 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
Member
I believe the only way a neutral can feed more than one circuit is if it is in a feeder. The code has been that way as long as I can remember.


Greg Fretwell
sparkync #206718 08/02/12 07:34 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,381
Likes: 7
Member
I have to agree with Greg. Strolling down memory lane, nothing jumps out at me. Time permitting, I may crack open the oldest NEC in my collection.


John
sparkync #206727 08/03/12 12:27 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,445
Likes: 2
Cat Servant
Member
This discussion reminds me of one of my 'creative' moments. I was under the impression that the new code language made my otherwise legal solution forbidden.

It was a small house, a complete rewire. Construction was solid masonry. Fortunately, there was an attic.

Even so, the large EMT (not sure of the size)I ran out the side of the outside panel, up the wall, and into the attic was pretty tight. So, to reduce my wire fill, I placed a can in the attic and mounted some terminal strips. I landed my grounds on one strip, and my neutrals on another. I did run a #10 ground wire (redundant to the conduit) and, I believe, a #6 neutral (the largest circuit was 20-amp, and circuits were split between legs) from the can to the panel. Thus, that pipe had many 'hot' wires, but only one ground and one neutral.

It was an exceptional situation, and I have not used this method again. Under the current code, I am clearly not allowed to do this.


Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5