Violation?

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celtic

celtic

Senior Member
Location
NJ
In a 2 gang box we have "2" switches...1 is a typical SP, the other has 3 swittches (all on same yoke).
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The switch is for a bath fan with: Fan, light and nightlight.
The wires running to/from are a 2-wire and a 3-wire.
Is the wiring a violation - parallel nuetrals?
 
If the neutrals are joined at each end than IMO yes it is a violation.

Do I think any harm will come of it? No

Assuming NM and plastic boxes or both NM cables running through the same KO on metal enclosures just disconect one of the neutrals and avoid the issue.
 
iwire said:
If the neutrals are joined at each end than IMO yes it is a violation.
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Then it's a violation.

iwire said:
Do I think any harm will come of it? No
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While a "crime", I also feel it is not a "felony".

iwire said:
Assuming NM and plastic boxes or both NM cables running through the same KO on metal enclosures just disconect one of the neutrals and avoid the issue.
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Wouldn't that just create another violation?
 
celtic said:
While a "crime", I also feel it is not a "felony".
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A crime on par with going 35.1 MPH in a 35 zone.


Wouldn't that just create another violation?
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IMO no.

I believe that 300.3(B)(3) allows it.

That said, not everyone agrees with that, you will have to decide for yourself.

From a code point of view I think you have no choice but to separate the neutrals.

From a quality point of view I think your better off with the parallel neutrals. (Did I say that outloud?)

If those two cables do not run side by side you will be adding EMI into the room.
 
We would use a 4 wire cable for this application. No violations, problem solved.
 
iwire said:
I believe that 300.3(B)(3) allows it.

That said, not everyone agrees with that, you will have to decide for yourself.

From a code point of view I think you have no choice but to separate the neutrals.

From a quality point of view I think your better off with the parallel neutrals. (Did I say that outloud?)

If those two cables do not run side by side you will be adding EMI into the room.
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Interesting.
I'll have to read that section and let it sink in before I decide if that's a violation or not (on my job :D).

Thanks for the opinion and Article.
 
infinity said:
We would use a 4 wire cable for this application. No violations, problem solved.
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I like that method...in a perfect world :) ...that's not to say it isn't an option.
 
georgestolz said:
Nah, run three 14-2's to the thing, and rewire it internally. ;) :eek:
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Well it would certainly depend on how you've wired the bathroom. If you use 1-20 amp circuit for the entire room than your lighting/fan/night light would require #12 wire. That can make a box fill up rather quickly. This is one reason why we would use a single 4 wire cable for the unit. Bought a coil of it years ago just for these things. Think that I still have some.
 
My crews are instructed to use 1/2" flex for this application. We also use flexibe conduit for swamp cooler switches with all the different speed settings, etc. Use a 2-1/2" deep 4 S box and mud ring in the wall. This helps with the installation of that big ol' switch. As far as the OP is concerned, I have seen it wired the way it is described and, FWIW, I also feel like it is wrong, but more of a misdemeanor than a felony. Still a code violation.
 
I also use the 12-2-2 romex (4 conductor w/gnd), I see alot of fan combo's where there's a seperate neutral for each device on the unit or there all nutted together with one pig tail coming off, if this is the case you can seperate one device for the two wire and put the other two on the three wire, To bad this isn't always the case.
 
We use flex or smurf tube (ent) and a deep box also, and stranded wire for easy makeup in those itty bitty j-boxes on the units.

Bob on the left coast
 
4-wire? Naah, I just run two conductor's with the white in one of them recolored at both ends.

I always run them in opposite directions when I use two cables as a 4-conductor run, so I can tell them apart at the ends just in case, by the printing direction.
 
LarryFine said:
4-wire? Naah, I just run two conductor's with the white in one of them recolored at both ends.

I always run them in opposite directions when I use two cables as a 4-conductor run, so I can tell them apart at the ends just in case, by the printing direction.
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I don't know if thats a good idea, running them in the opposite direction, won't that effect the magnetic flux and cause a battle of the hysteresis's, and inturn cause one device to run slower then the other.:D
 
wireman3736 said:
I don't know if thats a good idea, running them in the opposite direction, won't that effect the magnetic flux and cause a battle of the hysteresis's, and inturn cause one device to run slower then the other.:D
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LOL But wouldn't the printing directions simply tell you how to print correctly?
 
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