diy_guy
New User
- Location
- Denver, CO
- Occupation
- Data Scientist
I am wiring a basement bedroom, it's fairly simple and has 2 electrical circuits (separate neutrals). I've run a 15 amp circuit for lights + smoke/CO detector and I've run a 20 amp circuit for the wall outlets, anticipating the residents might run a space heater in winter. For the switched lights, my wife is asking if we can just use the bedside table lamps. I put a pair of duplex receptacles on either side of the bed to be used for these lamps; they are on the 20 amp wall circuit. Of course I could run a switch leg from the 15A light circuit to the upper half of the duplex receptacles (split circuit duplex receptacles). However I just ran into this, concerning breaker requirements for multi-circuit split receptacles:
The National Electrical Code now requires that the two hot wires in a split receptacle must be connected to a double-pole circuit breaker, so that when the breaker is shut off, the action will automatically disconnect both receptacles. That way, the outlet will be safe to work on.
This makes complete sense and I understand the prerogative to protect the next electrician (or me when I forget...) My question is do the breakers have to trip together (strictly a double-pole breaker)? Or do they just need to be positioned together (e.g. a tandem breaker). In this case I have a 15A and a 20A circuit. I already have these two circuits on a tandem 15/20A breaker (remodel job, not much panel space left). However I am having a hard time finding a double-pole 15/20A breaker that would trip concurrently.
If splitting duplex receptacles between separate 15A and 20A circuits is ill-advised, I'll just run a wall sconce light and tell her it's not a good idea.
The National Electrical Code now requires that the two hot wires in a split receptacle must be connected to a double-pole circuit breaker, so that when the breaker is shut off, the action will automatically disconnect both receptacles. That way, the outlet will be safe to work on.
This makes complete sense and I understand the prerogative to protect the next electrician (or me when I forget...) My question is do the breakers have to trip together (strictly a double-pole breaker)? Or do they just need to be positioned together (e.g. a tandem breaker). In this case I have a 15A and a 20A circuit. I already have these two circuits on a tandem 15/20A breaker (remodel job, not much panel space left). However I am having a hard time finding a double-pole 15/20A breaker that would trip concurrently.
If splitting duplex receptacles between separate 15A and 20A circuits is ill-advised, I'll just run a wall sconce light and tell her it's not a good idea.
