parallel branch circuit

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If the OCPD is an acceptable level, I would not mess with it unless there is some reason to do so. I have never quite understood why this is deemed an unacceptable practice.

Potentially you could just unhook one set if it really bothers you.
 
petersonra said:
. I have never quite understood why this is deemed an unacceptable practice.
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It is my understanding that with small conductors it is hard to keep the current balanced equally due to diffrent lengths etc.

However in this case the OCPD is likely less than the rating of one cable so there is no real danger.

The code has exceptions for doing this for some applications like tray cables
 
Let's just call it a "ring" circuit. :angel:

Roger
 
Ha ha ha...nope, not going to run 2 sets of 1/0.

Got the job powered up today (has been vacant for several years). Disconnected 1 cable to test. Found the pump only draws about 6.5 amps per leg. Should be fine on ONE set of 12 AWG. Don't really know why anyone ever ran the other set. Thanks for the replies.
 
I was told by a friend of mine who lived in England that Ring circuits or looped circuits are their standard MO. Must make for a mess in the panel.
 
Actually, when I think about it, I guess I do know why the second cable was run to the pump. When I take into account the bare copper conductor I found in a switch box being utilized as a grounded conductor, the 3-way switches used as SP switches, the Cu only devices installed on Al wiring, the bathroom light switch that only has power if the hallway light is on, etc, etc, etc. At this point, I'll be pulling apart every single device in the house to check it out. Gotta love those little old houses on apple orchards with "farmer" electricians....no offense to farmers or those of you who work on or at farms.
 
mjf said:
Actually, when I think about it, I guess I do know why the second cable was run to the pump. When I take into account the bare copper conductor I found in a switch box being utilized as a grounded conductor, the 3-way switches used as SP switches, the Cu only devices installed on Al wiring, the bathroom light switch that only has power if the hallway light is on, etc, etc, etc. At this point, I'll be pulling apart every single device in the house to check it out. Gotta love those little old houses on apple orchards with "farmer" electricians....no offense to farmers or those of you who work on or at farms.
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I work on farms a lot. I get to straighten out those kind of installs all the time. The hard part is convincing owner something is not right about it when all they see is that it has served their purpose without incident for years. You did not offend me, this kind of thing contributes to help with keeping my job:happyyes:
 
ActionDave said:
Farmer wiring, for those who have not experienced it, is worth the price of admission. It would put Joe Tedesco into a coma.
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Many of the code violations I have seen him post I have to laugh at and think about telling him to come see some of the stuff I see all the time.

If a non electrician does a new install I have no mercy, but a lot of stuff I see on farms was the result of someone repairing something and not knowing what consequences of their actions may be. I can understand that - people sometimes that farming is their business and when something is not working production is compromised.

A failed $100 part could be thousands of dollars loss to spoiled grain, or suffocation of livestock which can be loss of thousands of dollars.

The good guys do what they have to in order to continue production, then call a qualified electrician to come check things out, others just do what they have to and forget it - until it causes another problem down the line.
 
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