Larry N
New member
- Location
- stockton,ca
Could someone please point out the code section and what year of the ca code that using separate neutral's took effect?
separate neutrals
- Thread starter Larry N
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jaggedben
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern California
- Occupation
- Solar and Energy Storage Installer
For branch circuits? See 200.4. This was added in the 2011 code cycle. I'm not sure if another section might have spoken to your question earlier.
Technically a common neutral is still allowed for multiple feeders but I never see that done. See 215.4
Technically a common neutral is still allowed for multiple feeders but I never see that done. See 215.4
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
In the 2013 edition of the California Electrical Code, article 200.4 is shown in a gray background. This indicates it was changed from the previous edition. I don't have a copy of the previous edition, so I can't tell you if it is a new or revised article. The 2013 edition of the CEC took effect on January 1, 2014.
Mouser
Member
- Location
- Riverside, CA.
The 2010 CEC has no 200.4. so this is new to the 2013 CEC.
JFletcher
Senior Member
- Location
- Williamsburg, VA
Am I to infer by this post that MWBC are banned in CA? :?
jaggedben
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern California
- Occupation
- Solar and Energy Storage Installer
No. Read 200.4. The 2010 and 2013 CEC should be the same as the 2008 and 2011 NEC, respectively.
- Location
- Placerville, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Retired PV System Designer
A prohibition on sharing a neutral between circuits does not, by itself, limit use of one neutral in an MWBC, which is by definition ONE circuit.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
It's not always one circuit (for a circuit run to a detached structure it could be). If I run a 12/3 to the kitchen counter receptacles I would have two circuits and it would meet the two circuit minimum requirement.
- Location
- Placerville, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Retired PV System Designer
Yes, it is one circuit for some purposes and can seamlessly divide up into two circuits with separate neutrals or be considered to create two circuits even if the only instance of an individual circuit neutral is a pigtail to a device.It's not always one circuit (for a circuit run to a detached structure it could be). If I run a 12/3 to the kitchen counter receptacles I would have two circuits and it would meet the two circuit minimum requirement.
You can essentially choose to treat it as one circuit where that is advantageous or two circuits (three in the case of three phase MWBC) where that is advantageous.
Sort of like the (not universally accepted) fact that one circuit can meet the NEC definition of feeder and the NEC definition of branch at the same time.
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