Sorry I was a little punchy at 5AM....
Please elaborate.
Now that I got it down to an opinion level (agree code does not allow), I wasn't expecting to be wrong - just expecting a different opinion.:-?:-?
Please enlighten me on the inherent danger that would result from a neutral & ground terminated on the same terminal. (once again, keeping it simple, -terminal listed for 2 conductors, N & G of same circuit, etc.)
I think this one nails it right here... As a reason...
If the screw holding both the N&G conductors were loose you would lose you path for fault current as well as proper function of the circuit. You also have the heating and cooling issue with the neutral, but not the ground.
If you loose the neutral - there will be problems ranging from it not working... To possible fire from Hi/Lo condition - if you lose it at that point - you could very well loose both grounded, and EGC conductors.
If a single neutral was loose you would have a problem.
If a single ground was loose you would have a problem.(come fault time)
If they happend at the same time you would have a problem.
The ground would actually act as a heat sink.
For a constant load they would be pretty close in temp.
I don't see this as a deal breaker.
I am also not sure how they would act in a short condition... While this occurs conductors are pushing and pulling away from other conductors - tempature changes very rapidly. If they were both parallel circuit conductor they would do that together at the same rate.
While I am surpised the code even allows two neutrals in parallel as that exception - not all terminals are the type found in a load center - i.e. generator load studs are split bolt type often... An item I feel more comfortable doing that with.
It is also a listing issue as well - just took a peek at my panel - the lable had long language allowing (1) neutral conductor 'and if unused' - 'when used service equipment' (1)~(3) EGC's 'in unused holes'.
