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Proper install of shared neutral

2K views 16 replies 8 participants last post by  electures 
#1 ·
I have a sub panel in my garage. From panel I have 12/3 to an outlet powering only my fridge. One of the hots (red) is capped off at the outlet and the panel.

I am getting a kegerator to put next to the fridge and was thinking this should be on a separate circuit. My plan was to run 12/2 from the fridge outlet, using the red hot, switching out the breaker in the panel for a double breaker, and sharing the neutrals.

Is this the correct way to do it? I'm pretty sure I have to pigtail the neutrals at each outlet location and otherwise I'm good to go....
 

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#2 ·
You have it right. Especially about the two-pole breaker.

Don't forget, these receptacle must be GFI protected. You can use GFI receptacles ($), or you would need to use a two-pole GFI breaker ($$$).
 
#3 ·
Thanks. Do they need to be GFI even though dedicated circuit behind the appliance. All my other outlets are GFI protected in the garage except for my fridge one. I've heard that refrigerators may have a tendency to cause nuisance trips on gfi outlets.
 
#4 ·
The old exception for large appliances was removed several code cycles ago. The new one at the least will need to be GFI.
GFI's and appliances have come a long way. If a refer or freezer trips a GFI today there is a reason for it. Nuisance trips are pretty rare.
 
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#6 ·
Purchase on single GFI outlet, and place it at the beginning of the "daisy chain" of outlets. This one GFI will protect all other outlets in the chain that are connected to the "load" terminals on the GFI outlet. This is a good idea too, as placing a GFI outlet behind a fridge means that if it trips, you would end up having to move the fridge to reset it.
 
#10 ·
benleef, I wasn't aware of the GFCI requirements for refrigerator circuits, but Speedy and jbfan know their stuff.

I would think that you're correct that both need individual GFCI receptacles, and that you shouldn't use the Load side to feed other receptacles.
 
#15 ·
Jim Port said:
That exception was removed from the NEC. Now all including the garage door opener receptacle require GFI protection.
Unless you live in New Jersey.
 
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