I didn't see a post that covered this, but it must be out there. Apologies in advance...
My municipality operates under the 2018 NEC. I think I'm covered by 404.2(C)(5). For what it's worth this is "old work".
I'm starting with an existing 1-gang box for a switched circuit that controls lighting. It already has a grounded (neutral) in the box for that circuit.
I'm making this a 2-gang box and adding a separate switched circuit (separate home run) to control new half-switched duplex outlets.
I believe I can add the separate circuit without it's own neutral in the 2-gang switch box because as mentioned, the other circuit already has one in that switch box.
Detail:
I want to use a single 12/2 wire in a switch leg config between the new j-box and the new switch (in the converted 2-gang box). Then 12/3 between the new j-box and new half-switched outlets.
Electrical flow: A new hot would run into the new j-box from a new sub-panel (via 12/2). Then a new 12/2 from the new j-box to the new switch in the converted 2-gang box (black hot in, white switched out, no neutral from that new circuit). Then the white (switched) conductor would connect to a new switched (red) conductor in the new j-box, then to the new outlets (via 12/3) as black (always hot) in, red (switched) in, white neutral out.
Alternatively, I could run 12/3 from the new j-box into the converted 2-gang switch box so that new circuit has it's own neutral in there. But I couldn't connect to anything. In my opinion, the new white/neutral from the new 12/3 is redundant since the existing 12/2 neutral is already in that 2-gang box. I hope I'm explaining his well enough.
I'm pretty certain this is legit, but please shoot it full of holes if/where you see them.
My municipality operates under the 2018 NEC. I think I'm covered by 404.2(C)(5). For what it's worth this is "old work".
I'm starting with an existing 1-gang box for a switched circuit that controls lighting. It already has a grounded (neutral) in the box for that circuit.
I'm making this a 2-gang box and adding a separate switched circuit (separate home run) to control new half-switched duplex outlets.
I believe I can add the separate circuit without it's own neutral in the 2-gang switch box because as mentioned, the other circuit already has one in that switch box.
Detail:
I want to use a single 12/2 wire in a switch leg config between the new j-box and the new switch (in the converted 2-gang box). Then 12/3 between the new j-box and new half-switched outlets.
Electrical flow: A new hot would run into the new j-box from a new sub-panel (via 12/2). Then a new 12/2 from the new j-box to the new switch in the converted 2-gang box (black hot in, white switched out, no neutral from that new circuit). Then the white (switched) conductor would connect to a new switched (red) conductor in the new j-box, then to the new outlets (via 12/3) as black (always hot) in, red (switched) in, white neutral out.
Alternatively, I could run 12/3 from the new j-box into the converted 2-gang switch box so that new circuit has it's own neutral in there. But I couldn't connect to anything. In my opinion, the new white/neutral from the new 12/3 is redundant since the existing 12/2 neutral is already in that 2-gang box. I hope I'm explaining his well enough.
I'm pretty certain this is legit, but please shoot it full of holes if/where you see them.
