[Gary_602z]

Okay Let me see if I got this right. I would like to run (2) 20 amp circuits in (1)1/2" EMT for an approximate length of 70 feet with receptacle every 5 feet so each receptacle as on a different circuit then the one next to it. If I understand it right I can share the neutral and the breakers would have to be on separate legs of the bus?

Am I still good with 12ga.wire? Not planning on running anything to terrible heavy on it. Planning on running 1 white,1black,1red wire.

Thanks
Gary

 

[Gigs]

Sounds good to me. It's best to run a ground too, even with EMT, but not required.

 

[joed]

The whites must tied together and pigtail used. You can't use the two screws on the receptacle to feed the neutral through to the next receptacle.

 

[Gary_602z]

The whites must tied together and pigtail used. You can't use the two screws on the receptacle to feed the neutral through to the next receptacle.

Thanks!
Is that because if I lose a neutral then I could have a 240v potential.
And just curious why would the breakers have to be on separate legs?

Gary

 

[jerryh3]

Thanks!
Is that because if I lose a neutral then I could have a 240v potential.
And just curious why would the breakers have to be on separate legs?

Gary

Yes. The circuit could see 240V. The wires must be on separate legs to avoid overloading the neutral.

 

[Gary_602z]

Yes. The circuit could see 240V. The wires must be on separate legs to avoid overloading the neutral.

Thanks

Gary

 

[wirenut1110]

I would recommend a double pole breaker, whether required or not.

 

[220/221]

I would recommend separate neutrals whether required or not :yes:

70' of wire is about 3 bucks.

 

[joed]

I would recommend a double pole breaker, whether required or not.

A handle tied breaker or double pole breaker is required under the 2008 code.

 

[wirenut1110]

I know this, but the OP may not be under 08 or even having this inspected so that's why it was a recommendation.

Of all the code changes, this is one of the good ones.:thumbsup:

 

[goose134]

Of all the code changes, this is one of the good ones.

I don't have a strong opinion one way or the other, but you are the first I've heard that is strongly in favor of the two pole change. I was curious as to why.

 

[wirenut1110]

Too many times I've had my d**k knocked in my watch pocket from disconnecting neutrals from a multi-wire circuit.
Especially from 3-phase 480, where the neutrals were being shared on 3-277 volt lighting circuits.
Not a good feeling when you're on a 10-12' step ladder or sitting on top of walk-in cooler/freezer and you only have 2' between the top of it and the steel joist.:no:

If you were to come behind me on any of my jobs, no worries, I do not share neutrals.:thumbsup:

 

[InPhase277]

Too many times I've had my d**k knocked in my watch pocket from disconnecting neutrals from a multi-wire circuit.
Especially from 3-phase 480, where the neutrals were being shared on 3-277 volt lighting circuits.
Not a good feeling when you're on a 10-12' step ladder or sitting on top of walk-in cooler/freezer and you only have 2' between the top of it and the steel joist.:no:

If you were to come behind me on any of my jobs, no worries, I do not share neutrals.:thumbsup:

I personally don't favor the double pole MWBC requirement, but I have to ask, why are you taking so many shared neutrals apart? And are you not concerned about putting 480 across 277 V loads? It only took me one time to learn about the snake hidden inside the shared neutral...

 

[wirenut1110]

This was many years ago. Just think it's a good idea.

Also, we were doing a Sears remodel and work was being done during store hours and cutting lights off in the store wasn't an option. Just situations like this required some wires to be disconnected.

 

[wirenut1110]

Not everyone does things the way they're supposed to. I've just run into a lot of crap in my days. Some plants I've worked in, over the years a lot of jack leg crap was done.
When you open a box and pull the wires out and the wire nut practically falls off and the stranded wires pull apart cause there's 10 of them in a 76 wire nut and you need the one in the middle. People tapping in wherever they can. 100-200 panels where this circuit may be over here and this one may be over there, nothings labeled or labeled incorrectly.

I've even seen 120 volt circuits and the neutral from the 277 being used.

It's all good when you're just doing new construction and everything's laid out for you. Just run pipe, pull wires and terminate. When you have 1 million+ square foot facilities that have been around for 20 or 30 years, there's no telling what you'll run into.

If you think you can just turn off what you want when you want, it just doesn't happen that way.

 

[goose134]

Also, we were doing a Sears remodel and work was being done during store hours and cutting lights off in the store wasn't an option. Just situations like this required some wires to be disconnected.

I understand what you're saying. Neutrals under load can pack a whallup. But if you can't shut them off anyway, what use is a multi-pole breaker in this situation?

 

[kbsparky]

....If you were to come behind me on any of my jobs, no worries, I do not share neutrals.:thumbsup:

You've never installed a service panel, then?

99.99% of service panels, sub-panels, etc share a neutral. :whistling2: