Shared Circuits on single pole breakers
- Thread starter shoffnerm
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jxofaltrds
Inspector Mike®
- Location
- Mike P. Columbus Ohio
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- ESI, PI, RBO
Re: Shared Circuits on single pole breakers
It depends on the manf. of the panel. Some allow 2wires under one breaker. To my knowledge noone allows three wires.
As far as the circuits, it depends. Two lighting circuits no proplem. Two kitchen circuits is a proplem.
This is a generic answer. It also depends when the installation was completed.
You would be best served to have an electricain look at your set-up.
Mike P.
[ August 13, 2003, 08:30 AM: Message edited by: jxofaltrds ]
It depends on the manf. of the panel. Some allow 2wires under one breaker. To my knowledge noone allows three wires.
As far as the circuits, it depends. Two lighting circuits no proplem. Two kitchen circuits is a proplem.
This is a generic answer. It also depends when the installation was completed.
You would be best served to have an electricain look at your set-up.
Mike P.
[ August 13, 2003, 08:30 AM: Message edited by: jxofaltrds ]
Re: Shared Circuits on single pole breakers
This is the way I look at it. Personally I wouldn't call them circuits at all. All three are part of a single branch circuit that is protected by that single breaker. It is a matter of where you select to make the junction to each leg of that circuit. It may even be just outsine the panel using a suitable junction box.
If you target the breaker for that connection then it is a matter of the number of wires and size the terminal of the breaker is listed for of was previously stated. If you choose to leave the breaker using a single wire and tie the three legs to it within the panel enclosure, will the panel enclosure meet the NEC requirements to allow a connection of 4-wires with a wirenut within the enclosure.
This is the way I look at it. Personally I wouldn't call them circuits at all. All three are part of a single branch circuit that is protected by that single breaker. It is a matter of where you select to make the junction to each leg of that circuit. It may even be just outsine the panel using a suitable junction box.
If you target the breaker for that connection then it is a matter of the number of wires and size the terminal of the breaker is listed for of was previously stated. If you choose to leave the breaker using a single wire and tie the three legs to it within the panel enclosure, will the panel enclosure meet the NEC requirements to allow a connection of 4-wires with a wirenut within the enclosure.
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: Shared Circuits on single pole breakers
shoffnerm
Its really no different than making a splice in a junction box, and going to different loads.
shoffnerm
Its really no different than making a splice in a junction box, and going to different loads.
B
bthielen
Guest
Re: Shared Circuits on single pole breakers
This is something that I am surprised the code does not address. When using stranded wire we have found that the type of clamping can be important. For example, if the wire is held only by the clamping effect of a terminal screw, stranded wire does not hold very well. It tends to flair out, especially if it is not twisted, and this forces some of the wire strands out from under the screw head. When this happens, one has effectively reduced the wire size at the terminal point and these can heat up. We now require saddle strap type terminals when using stranded wire on our products. When using solid core wire, I have experienced situations where the wires were not laid side-by-side under a saddle strap type terminal (they were crossed so that one was on top of the other). Over time, the two wires managed to slide off each other and the result was a loose connection, which resulted in an overheated wire connection. I usually try to avoid multiple wires under one terminal unless I use a saddle strap type terminal and place one wire on each side of the terminal's screw. This way, I am limited to a maximum of two wires and each is equally clamped under the strap. At least as equally as possible.
Bob
This is something that I am surprised the code does not address. When using stranded wire we have found that the type of clamping can be important. For example, if the wire is held only by the clamping effect of a terminal screw, stranded wire does not hold very well. It tends to flair out, especially if it is not twisted, and this forces some of the wire strands out from under the screw head. When this happens, one has effectively reduced the wire size at the terminal point and these can heat up. We now require saddle strap type terminals when using stranded wire on our products. When using solid core wire, I have experienced situations where the wires were not laid side-by-side under a saddle strap type terminal (they were crossed so that one was on top of the other). Over time, the two wires managed to slide off each other and the result was a loose connection, which resulted in an overheated wire connection. I usually try to avoid multiple wires under one terminal unless I use a saddle strap type terminal and place one wire on each side of the terminal's screw. This way, I am limited to a maximum of two wires and each is equally clamped under the strap. At least as equally as possible.
Bob
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