Half switched outlet with no 3-wire

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Knipex Dream

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In this scenario I have a half switched outlet with no 3-wire. The feed is at the switch box. A 12-2 carries the constant. A 12-2 carries the switched leg.

My question is, is it required to break the tab on the neutral side of the outlet and connect the whites individually per 300.3?

And please everyone, I know how to do this. I know it will work either way. I know it is easier to do and understand with a 3-wire. Just to be perfectly clear. This is a technological question about code compliance. Not amataur night.
 
In my opinion yes you would break the tab.

If you do not break the tab you put two neutrals in parallel with each other which in these smal conductor sizes violates 310.10(H)
 
I agree with Bob. You break the two tabs and end up with two separate receptacles on one yoke.
 
Knipex Dream said:
In this scenario I have a half switched outlet with no 3-wire. The feed is at the switch box. A 12-2 carries the constant. A 12-2 carries the switched leg.

My question is, is it required to break the tab on the neutral side of the outlet and connect the whites individually per 300.3?

And please everyone, I know how to do this. I know it will work either way. I know it is easier to do and understand with a 3-wire. Just to be perfectly clear. This is a technological question about code compliance. Not amataur night.
Click to expand...

While I agree with the others, I get the sense here that maybe you are wondering if you have to use the neutral at all from the switched 12/2 and just leave the tab on. I think the only way to be compliant and meet 300.3 and 310.10 would be to break the tab and use the neutral in the 12/2 switched cable. I have seen where this was done (probably because they had no */3 cable handy) with 2, 12/2 cables like your situation and the neutral in 1 cable was left unused. This would violate 300.3 as you mention.
 
texie said:
I have seen where this was done (probably because they had no */3 cable handy) with 2, 12/2 cables like your situation and the neutral in 1 cable was left unused. This would violate 300.3 as you mention.
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That installation may be compliant with 300.3(B)(3) depending on the specifics.
 
I don't see any issue if the tabs are broken on the receptacle. The neutrals would travel with their respective hot and switched conductor as long as you wire it that way
 
Would they put removable neutral link on the receptacles if they didn't think there may be times it may need removed?
 
Knipex Dream said:
This is well established. My question is, is it to be broken in this circumstance.

Good answers so far in my opinion.
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When else would you intentionally break it, you have two separate neutrals that presumably need to remain isolated, at least beyond the point where they split.
 
Knipex Dream said:
In this scenario I have a half switched outlet with no 3-wire. The feed is at the switch box. A 12-2 carries the constant. A 12-2 carries the switched leg.

My question is, is it required to break the tab on the neutral side of the outlet and connect the whites individually per 300.3?

And please everyone, I know how to do this. I know it will work either way. I know it is easier to do and understand with a 3-wire. Just to be perfectly clear. This is a technological question about code compliance. Not amataur night.
Click to expand...
So it is a violation to pigtail the neutral and (assuming this is one circuit, right) land it on one screw.
 
GerryB said:
So it is a violation to pigtail the neutral and (assuming this is one circuit, right) land it on one screw.
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If switched and unswitched originate from the same circuit and arrive at the receptacle in a 14/3 keeping the jumper in place is fine, or you can pigtail it to both halves.
If you use two 14/2 s you either violate the rule on keeping hot and neutral together or you violate the rule in paralleling conductors unless you remove the link. Seems straightforward to me.
Just as you cannot carry a three wire MWBC in two 14/2s. (Although you can split it up and keep it split).
 
GoldDigger said:
Just as you cannot carry a three wire MWBC in two 14/2s. (Although you can split it up and keep it split).
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You actual can run 2-14/2nm cables and use it as a 3 way if the method is nm. 300.3(B)(3)

(3) Nonferrous Wiring Methods. Conductors in wiring
methods with a nonmetallic or other nonmagnetic sheath,
where run in different raceways, auxiliary gutters, cable trays,
trenches, cables, or cords, shall comply with the provisions of
300.20(B). Conductors in single-conductor Type MI cable
with a nonmagnetic sheath shall comply with the provisions of
332.31. Conductors of single-conductor Type MC cable with a
nonmagnetic sheath shall comply with the provisions of
330.31, 330.116, and 300.20(B).
Click to expand...
 
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