Two circuits in a dual gang box?

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Andy Delle

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Can a dual (or larger) gang box have two different circuits feed it? Not necessarily a MWBC, just two different circuits. As I see it this is a safety issues in that somebody kills one of the circuits by checking the light or other load yet there still is another hot feed inside the box?
 
Andy Delle said:
Can a dual (or larger) gang box have two different circuits feed it? Not necessarily a MWBC, just two different circuits. As I see it this is a safety issues in that somebody kills one of the circuits by checking the light or other load yet there still is another hot feed inside the box?
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If you look inside a box and can't tell if there are multiple circuits in there then you have no business being in there.
 
I believe that you cannot have two circuits on one device yoke if the result would be 240 or more line to line. But either just two circuits or even two voltages in dual gang box is allowed and is common.
If you have two circuits (not an MWBC) on a duplex receptacle you need to break off the neutral tab too and run two independent neutrals to match the two hots.
 
GoldDigger said:
I believe that you cannot have two circuits on one device yoke if the result would be 240 or more line to line. But either just two circuits or even two voltages in dual gang box is allowed and is common.
If you have two circuits (not an MWBC) on a duplex receptacle you need to break off the neutral tab too and run two independent neutrals to match the two hots.
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See 210.7

Roger
 
Andy Delle said:
Can a dual (or larger) gang box have two different circuits feed it? Not necessarily a MWBC, just two different circuits. As I see it this is a safety issues in that somebody kills one of the circuits by checking the light or other load yet there still is another hot feed inside the box?
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Assumption is that person is qualified and knows how to test for voltage.
I don't see this as an issue at all, electricians work in energized equipment/boxes all the time.
However, it would be advisable to write the circuit numbers on the cover, and power source!
 
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roger said:
See 210.7

Roger
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Quit being so cryptic. :D

What 210.7 says is that the circuits must have simultaneous disconnecting means at the circuits' origin. May as well make it a MWBC... but otherwise GD is correct since he said not an MWBC.
 
Smart $ said:
Quit being so cryptic. :D

What 210.7 says is that the circuits must have simultaneous disconnecting means at the circuits' origin. May as well make it a MWBC... but otherwise GD is correct since he said not an MWBC.
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:D


Well the first sentence is what I was addressing with the article section.
I believe that you cannot have two circuits on one device yoke if the result would be 240 or more line to line
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;)

Roger


 
roger said:
:D


Well the first sentence is what I was addressing with the article section.

;)

Roger
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Okay. ;)

You did bring up earlier 404.8 regarding switch to switch and other devices with respect to a switch, over 300 volts requiring identified barrier separation. He may have been thinking about that. IDK
 
Andy Delle said:
Can a dual (or larger) gang box have two different circuits feed it? Not necessarily a MWBC, just two different circuits. As I see it this is a safety issues in that somebody kills one of the circuits by checking the light or other load yet there still is another hot feed inside the box?
Click to expand...

Yes. There was a thread here recently re: using one box for 4160V and 208V (hypothetical install). I dont remember the outcome, tho iirc that is allowed, however an incredibly bad idea imho.

eta: here's the thread:

http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=185655
 
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