We could call it exactly what it is.... eh-hh-h-h... what was I saying?This would be a tough proposal to get thru. Not all travlers in 3-way and 4-way switching are carring current at the same time but we sure don't want to(and can't) call it load diversity, might be best to let alone and derate as we do now. JMO.
Anyway, it appears to be too late for the 2011 cycle (unless you know or can impress someone with a good deal of clout :grin
That's how I see it... (which in most cases would mean it seems reasonable :grinAssuming that the derating concept is based on the full load of the circuit then it may be possible to state that switch legs of the same circuit need be counted only once. There is no way that you could legally load the switch legs higher then the capacity of the circuit. Thus, a single circuit feeding a bank of 10 switch would only count as 2 current carrying conductors. If you had 2 circuits with 5 switches on each one then you would have 4 CCC's. Seems reasonable......????
EGCs don't count in derating, so it's a moot point.
From what I can gather from the OP, the three neutrals don't go to the switch, or at least they wouldn't need to. If all three neutrals do go to the switch, you've got 12 CCCs and you'll need to change to 15a breakers [30a * 50% = 15a per T310.15(B)(2)(a)]. If they don't, you've only got 6, and you can still use 20a OCDs
Perhaps....I agree it's a little late but maybe 2014 cycle.:grin:
Well you could drop the count to 9 if you 3-way spliced the neutrals in the j-box... and that is only if the neutral is connected to a load on the switch-box end. A dead-end neutral with no load is not a CCC, though I do understand it may be for future use and then would be counted.Yes, in this scenario the 3 neutrals go to the switch box, spliced and go back to the j-box, then go their separate ways. So there would be 12 ccc. As said the EGC is a moot point for derating.
But, why? :-?Yes, in this scenario the 3 neutrals go to the switch box, spliced and go back to the j-box, then go their separate ways.
But, why? :-?
I agree, the logic is there...but where does it state this in the code?I have always understood this in this way-
say you have a feed to a bank of switches and 10 returns to (1 amp)loads all on one circuit in the same raceway. the feed conductor carries 10 amps each individual load conductor carries 1 amp. You must derate for eleven current carrying conductors, however ten of them that only carry 1 amp may not need to be upsized but the feed conductor possibly may need to be upsized (although with this example #12 90 degree conductors would still be acceptable) S
Someone mentioned "travelers" I assume they were talking about the pair of conductors running between two switches in a three way switch circuit. Out of each pair of "travelers" only one conductor needs to be counted for derating purposes because only one conductor can carry current at any given time. If you have all four conductors of a four way switch in the same raceway you only count two as current carrying because only two will carry current at any given time.