ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Multiwire Branch Circuit

Can I run a multiwire branch circuit to a garage consisting of a #14 and a #12 ungrounded conductor and a # 12 grounded conductor?

Sometimes multi wire circuits are run in mixed wire/breaker sizes around here. One example would be a bathroom. The #14 for lighting and #12 for GFI. Myself I try to keep equipment off of lighting. I'm sure some would not like this multi wire set-up. Maybe someone could figure the math on this with extreme conditions. I doubt it would make much differance doing it this way. Never had a complaint or seen a problem. I try to tape the network together and put the breakers next to each other to avoid confusion for someone elce but thats just my thing.

Tom

Active, are you talking about NM? Where does one get such stuff?

Don't see why not... At least if neutral is not the #14.

Is this a seperate building?

Not NM. I'm allways talking pipe. Don't see much MN except code corections or some use it for UF. If I had to do a whole building with MN I would look like a Moe because not much experiance with it.

Tom

I have run a mixed size multiwire circuit before. I see no problem with it.

We remodeled a small kitchen in a office building. They had a removed a stove fed with 6/3 AC cable.

I used one side of the 6/3 to feed a 30 amp 120 volt water heater and the other side to feed 120 volt 20 amp outlets.

No worries about voltage drop.

You certainly can do this. Wait. Is this a trick question? Define garage.

[This message has been edited by Electricmanscott (edited 06-02-2005).]

No trick question. Just never did that trick before. Can't see any hazard and the reason he wanted to do it was so he can put the plugs on a 20a. circuit and the lights on a 15a. circuit. I couldn't find anything in the code that prohibited it. Thought you code aficionados knew of an article in the book that would apply. As for the definition of garage:

GARAGE
n 1: an outbuilding (or part of a building) for housing automobiles 2: a repair shop where cars and trucks are serviced and repaired [syn: service department] v : keep or store in a garage; "we don't garage our car"

Source: WordNet ® 2.0, © 2003 Princeton University




[This message has been edited by George Little (edited 06-02-2005).]

George,
Can we assume that this is an "attached" garage?

Detached Garage - I forgot to mention that.