italian_guy
New member
Hello all. I am new to this forum and this is my first post. Before I begin, I want to say that I am NOT an electrician, instructor or inspector. I hope this does not detract from others here helping me. I have a fairly advanced knowledge of electrical circuits although I do know my limitations. The reason that I am posting in the safety category is because I have a question regarding some work that was done several years ago by a licensed electrician. How I discovered this potential safety issue is by accident. I am getting ready to wire in a Reliance 10 circuit/50 amp generator transfer switch.
While going over the circuits, I noticed Several MWBC's. It looks like the electrician pigtailed both whites from 2 MWBC's together and ran a single white to the neutral bar. THe wire going to the neutral looks to be 12AWG. These 2 MWBC's are both 15 amp and they are single breakers..not double pole. The first MWBC has the breakers one on top of the other..or..out of phase (confirmed by the 240VAC reading) The second of these MWBC's is all on the same phase (0VAC phase)..I was going to move the breakers so that they are out of phase but I am not sure......
My question is, can these 2 MWBC's have their white wires pigtailed into 1 heavier common white which runs to the neutral? Something tells me NO because of the possibility of neutral overloading but Im not sure. I don't want a fire in my house!!!!
Also, there is another MWBC in my panel. It is a 20amp circuit and when I put my tester on the leads of the breaker, it read 0VAC. However, the neutral here DOES go to the bar....DO I have to modify this circuit by moving these breakers around as well??
Just some background:
House was built in 1957..it is a 2500sq Ft rancher.
service was upgraded by this same electrician well over 1 yrs ago; he installed a GE TM3020C panel (200amp service)
Just recently, I added on a GE main breaker 100 Amp subpanel. I ran #4 THHN wires in 1 3/4 conduit with a 75 amp feeder breaker in the main panel. The ground and neutral are not bonded together in the sub. BTW, the subpanel will be used to feed a Hottub in the spring.
Aside from this history, can you professionals tell me if I have a serious safety issue here??
Thank you for all your help and understanding!
Ben
While going over the circuits, I noticed Several MWBC's. It looks like the electrician pigtailed both whites from 2 MWBC's together and ran a single white to the neutral bar. THe wire going to the neutral looks to be 12AWG. These 2 MWBC's are both 15 amp and they are single breakers..not double pole. The first MWBC has the breakers one on top of the other..or..out of phase (confirmed by the 240VAC reading) The second of these MWBC's is all on the same phase (0VAC phase)..I was going to move the breakers so that they are out of phase but I am not sure......
My question is, can these 2 MWBC's have their white wires pigtailed into 1 heavier common white which runs to the neutral? Something tells me NO because of the possibility of neutral overloading but Im not sure. I don't want a fire in my house!!!!
Also, there is another MWBC in my panel. It is a 20amp circuit and when I put my tester on the leads of the breaker, it read 0VAC. However, the neutral here DOES go to the bar....DO I have to modify this circuit by moving these breakers around as well??
Just some background:
House was built in 1957..it is a 2500sq Ft rancher.
service was upgraded by this same electrician well over 1 yrs ago; he installed a GE TM3020C panel (200amp service)
Just recently, I added on a GE main breaker 100 Amp subpanel. I ran #4 THHN wires in 1 3/4 conduit with a 75 amp feeder breaker in the main panel. The ground and neutral are not bonded together in the sub. BTW, the subpanel will be used to feed a Hottub in the spring.
Aside from this history, can you professionals tell me if I have a serious safety issue here??
Thank you for all your help and understanding!
Ben
