Continuity of a grounded conductor (neutral)

[Jpflex]

Nec 200.2 says that a grounded conductor cannot rely on connection to a metal enclosure, raceeay or cable armor.

However nec does not list receptacles here.

We are then referred to 300.13B which does not allow neutral continuity for multiwire branch circuits.

This concept is easily understood because loosing a neutral in a MWBC will result in elevated voltages for loads and may cause equipment damage

However, i now question whether standard daisychain receptacles for a standard non multiwire branch circuit would be code compliant since a receptable being removed would interfere with the grounded conductor continuity downstream?

I do not think NEC is dissallowing this but i worked with someone who disagreed

I know this would not cause harm as it would in a MWBC

What i mean by daisychain is line to right side of receptacle and neutral to left side, instead of one continuous line and neutral with pigtails

 

[LarryFine]

The concern is, or was only one pole of a MWBC being turned off.

The requirement for handle-ties minimizes that risk these days.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Nec 200.2 says that a grounded conductor cannot rely on connection to a metal enclosure, raceeay or cable armor.

However nec does not list receptacles here.

We are then referred to 300.13B which does not allow neutral continuity for multiwire branch circuits.

This concept is easily understood because loosing a neutral in a MWBC will result in elevated voltages for loads and may cause equipment damage

However, i now question whether standard daisychain receptacles for a standard non multiwire branch circuit would be code compliant since a receptable being removed would interfere with the grounded conductor continuity downstream?

I do not think NEC is dissallowing this but i worked with someone who disagreed

I know this would not cause harm as it would in a MWBC

What i mean by daisychain is line to right side of receptacle and neutral to left side, instead of one continuous line and neutral with pigtails

Removing a receptacle will remove all power downstream however if you leave the circuit on you could get bitten thru the neutral if you don't disconnect the power first.

This is not an NEC issue especially since you ca turn off one breaker and be safe. The multiwire branch circuit, without a handle tie could cause safety issues. Very different in my eyes

 

[Jpflex]

Removing a receptacle will remove all power downstream however if you leave the circuit on you could get bitten thru the neutral if you don't disconnect the power first.

This is not an NEC issue especially since you ca turn off one breaker and be safe. The multiwire branch circuit, without a handle tie could cause safety issues. Very different in my eyes

What i mean is whether you ate allowed to feed a receptacle from another fecepyacle rather than a conginuoud line and neutral with spliced pigtails?

 

[Jpflex]

Receptacle and continuous

 

[infinity]

If it's a 2-wire circuit there is no danger is using the device screws to connect from one device to the next. Pigtails would be a design option not a code requirement. MWBC'S have other requirments because of the dangers involved with an open neutral.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

The NEC is assuming you will kill the circuit. Unfortunately, with a multiwire branch circuit, there is danger without a handle tie. But you know that. haha

 

[CoolWill]

At one time, now long gone, the city of Huntsville, Alabama required the neutrals at all receptacles be pigtailed. I open up receptacle boxes all the time where the hots both land on the screws but the neutrals are pigtailed.