two circuits into one jb ?

1268 Views 9 Replies 4 Participants Last post by canuck52, Dec 1, 2012

canuck52

Discussion Starter · Nov 18, 2012

I live in Ontario and would like to know if it is ok by the Ontario Code to bring more than one circuit into the same electrical junction box. The situation is that I have added pot lights to a room that has an existing ceiling light, but because there are already almost 12 devices on the first ceiling light circuit, I need a new circuit for the pot lights.
I want to have a double gang light switch with one for the existing ceiling light and another for the new pot lights, but these are from different circuits. I know I obviously can't tie the neutrals or black wires together, but am concerned as to whether it is acceptable by code for two circuits in the one (double) box. I cant find reference to this in the simplified Ontario Code, and would appreciate any guidance. Thanks.

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tylernt

· #9 · Nov 30, 2012

canuck52 said:
if I wanted two circuits I have to use a 3 wire (2 hots) and take one circuit from the black wire and one from the red, and then use a tie breaker in the panel between the two circuit breakers.

It sounds like you are describing a MWBC (Multi-Wire Branch Circuit). MWBCs share a neutral and do indeed have the restrictions your friend describes. However, it sounds like you want to have independent neutrals, so you do not have a MWBC, so those restrictions would not seem to apply.

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