3 Gang 3 Way and Neutral Conductors

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luckylerado

luckylerado

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Curious what the effect might be when there a 3 3way switches in a 3 gang box, all on the load side (common to load on all 3) all on the same circuit with all of the neutral conductors tied together under one wire nut.

A previous post got me thinking about this. I always keep the neutrals separate in this situation but I have seen it all tied together in the past.

Code issue? What if there were multiple circuits involved? Other than handle ties, is there a code issue or other casue/effect relationship to look for if troubleshooting something like this?
 
If you have metal raceways you will not only create a different pathway and get electromagnetic field's, you will also get some potential heating in the conduit . Article 300.3(B)(3)gives exception for nm cable
 
The same article prohibits the install for different circuits.... In a residence, the afci's with gfci will not hold if done with different circuits -- not sure whether a afci without gfci would hold..
 
I can't picture the question in my head, but I think I know what's being talked about.

Using the exception for nm..............
have you ever done it ?

I occasionally have the plastic box mounted and two wire in my hand but can seem to do it.

Makes me cringe.

:- )


maybe like jumping into a cold pool.... just gotta do it...

maybe I'll burst the bubble tomorrow and give it a go.........?


Aaaaaaaaa................... lol... cringing even thinking about it..

forget it... lol
 
That's what I thought you were explaining
That is not the mm exception.
That's normal 3 way wiring.
No affect


Doing three then it's Parellelling the neutral and not right

The circuitry would have to be laid out different

Or simple do not connect all the neutrals. Connect the proper neutral to its proper load like in the pic
 
I've always tied the neutrals together if it's the same circuit, don't know why you wouldn't. No effect, never an issue. Two different circuits is a completely different thing. If you have one feed at your first set of 3-ways, all the neutrals have to be tied together. Why would you not tie them together at the other end?
 
You would be Parellelling wires smaller than 1s or 1/0 which ever that code reads. And the return would /could be different taking the shorter return path. I would think.

Just not right

Why do it ?
 
jumper said:
1/0.

310.10(H)(1)
Click to expand...

Installation is also in violation of 300.3(B), or at least what should be the intent of that section.

All conductors of a circuit (or segment of a circuit) need to be in same raceway or cable so their electromagnetic effects cancel one another out, this also lowers impedance of conductors, in particular during short circuit and ground fault conditions.
 
So I'm always trying to learn and I see the section quoted. In the real world though would this be an issue. (paralleling the neutrals at the second box) You all do acknowledge that in the first box with the feed and the first 3 3-ways, the neutrals are in parallel, right? So twenty feet across the room we separate the neutrals going up to there respective lights. The return path is still in parallel at the first box, unless I'm missing something.
 
GerryB said:
So I'm always trying to learn and I see the section quoted. In the real world though would this be an issue. (paralleling the neutrals at the second box) You all do acknowledge that in the first box with the feed and the first 3 3-ways, the neutrals are in parallel, right? So twenty feet across the room we separate the neutrals going up to there respective lights. The return path is still in parallel at the first box, unless I'm missing something.
Click to expand...
We don't know if the "front end" of the three ways are all in the same box, we just know they are all on the same branch circuit, and that the second switches are all in the same box.
 
kwired said:
We don't know if the "front end" of the three ways are all in the same box, we just know they are all on the same branch circuit, and that the second switches are all in the same box.
Click to expand...
OK, guess I "assumed". In that case I would probably wire them separately, just in case a different circuit was involved. There is an older thread on here similar to this, two 3-ways, carry the N through to two more 3-ways, then a 3-wire to a fan/light. The debate was do you need a 2nd neutral to the fan/light, use only one, or parallel them. I have never run a second neutral to a paddle F/L, but I have run a second neutral for bath fan/exhaust/ heat if two circuits.
 
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