Help on neutrals selection /balancing loads

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ianis

Member
On a project we are doing, a section has 347 V fluorescent lighting CCT 18,20,22. At a first glance I was going to put them on the same NEUTRAL but I quiqly changed my mind considering the harmonics in fluorescent lighting and therefore a lot of voltage on the neutral and also that these lights are not all on at the same time but they vary such as when cct 18, 20 is on cct 22 is off , and when 20,22 is on 18 is off and so on; so we dont really have a balanced load. The question is how many neutrals should I use? 2 (two) one for cct 18 and another for 20,22 or 3 Neutrals, one for each cct?
Tx for you time
 

LarryFine

Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
Location
Henrico County, VA
Occupation
Electrical Contractor
Despite your concerns, I'd still use only one for all three circuits. When the harmonics are potentially the worst, the real current will be the least.
 

ianis

Member
also 18 is a blue, 20 Red, 22 Black. I thought it could confuse things as I get closer to the panel since this are not on their normal order
 

infinity

Moderator
Staff member
Location
New Jersey
Occupation
Journeyman Electrician
also 18 is a blue, 20 Red, 22 Black. I thought it could confuse things as I get closer to the panel since this are not on their normal order


The conductors don't care what number the circuits are as long as there not on the same phase. I agree with Larry and would install one neutral shared by the three circuits.
 
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