multi wire conductors

[j rae]

Do multi wire cables entering a panel need to be cabletied together till the netural splits off? What code ?

 

[GoldDigger]

Do multi wire cables entering a panel need to be cabletied together till the netural splits off? What code ?

You are probably referring to the relatively new requirement to "group" all the conductors that form part of a single MWBC. See 210.4(D) [2011]
There is no specific reference to the neutral splitting off or how far into the panel the wires should continue to be tied.
If the circuits in the cable do not contain an MWBC under the definition of the code, then even if it is multiple wires and multiple individual circuits, no grouping is necessary. (I am thinking of, for example, a hypothetical cable with two hots and two neutrals used for two 120V circuits.)

 

[Dennis Alwon]

It seems odd that this rule only applies to multiwire branch circuits. It seems that it should include individual circuits as well that are within the same raceway. For instance. Two 2 wire 120v circuits in the same raceway should IMO have their neutrals identified.

I agree that there is no sections that states the marking should go to where the neutral splits. Zip tie in one place is sufficient per code IMO.

 

[Smart $]

...
If the circuits in the cable do not contain an MWBC under the definition of the code, then even if it is multiple wires and multiple individual circuits, no grouping is necessary. (I am thinking of, for example, a hypothetical cable with two hots and two neutrals used for two 120V circuits.)

Even if the circuits in a cable are MWBC, as long as it is obvious the conductors are members of that cable assembly, no grouping is required... per the exception. Essentially, the cable assembly (or raceway) serves to indicate the grouping.

 

[infinity]

It seems odd that this rule only applies to multiwire branch circuits. It seems that it should include individual circuits as well that are within the same raceway. For instance. Two 2 wire 120v circuits in the same raceway should IMO have their neutrals identified.

I agree that there is no sections that states the marking should go to where the neutral splits. Zip tie in one place is sufficient per code IMO.

It's likely that they're trying to prevent a shared neutral from being disconnected and causing a circuit to have a potentially higher than normal voltage. That wouldn't exist with a two wire circuit where the neutral was disconnected. The 2014 NEC will allow wire number markers on the individual conductors in lieu of the cable tie or tape, etc.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

It's likely that they're trying to prevent a shared neutral from being disconnected and causing a circuit to have a potentially higher than normal voltage. That wouldn't exist with a two wire circuit where the neutral was disconnected. The 2014 NEC will allow wire number markers on the individual conductors in lieu of the cable tie or tape, etc.

A 2 wire circuit is just as dangerous. Say you shut off the circuit breaker and then lift the wrong neutral. Not a good thing even on 2 wire circuits when there are more than one pair in the same raceway.