A GFCI receptacle can't be split, but there's no reason a split-receptacle (non-GFCI) couldn't be wired to the LOAD sides of 2 separate SFGC's (4 wires plus ground connected to split receptacle).
[snip]
I'm not sure that meets code. You can't have two separately controlled circuits in the same box - The explanation is that if you turn off the power to one circuit, the hapless electrician could assume the whole box is safe to work on. $5.00 could buy him a voltage tester, but...
I thought about that, but:
A) it's a gas range
B) The refrigerator, some lights and at least one outlet will go to a generator transfer switch. which has to be located at the main panel.
That's not true, the NEC allows multiple circuits in the same box. The requirement you may be thinking of is that if a single device (like a split-wired receptacle) is connected to two different circuits, then those circuits must have a common disconnect.
Of course, under the 2008 NEC, any multi-wire branch circuit requires a common disconnect.
Cheers, Wayne
Cite that
In a commercial kitchen 15/20A plug-in refrigeration has to be on a GFCI.
That's correct AFIK. Can't have two separate hots in one box. GFCI outlets compares the current in the neutral and live wires; for anything plugged into the GFCI itself or any outlets wired downstream of it. If the current is different the GFCI trips (For safety because the difference might be leakage through a human). So you can't use a GFCI for an Edison circuit with it's common neutral. Plugging into either 'half' of an Edison outlet would immediately be an unbalance and then 'click'.
There is nothing in the Nec that says two circuits can't be in the same box, which Wayne Whitney clarified, and if you really wanted to do a split system, I don't see any reason that you couldn't do it with a double pole
120/240 GFCI breaker, although it doesn't seem practical to me. I typically run 12/3 around the entire counter in and out of deep 1900 boxes, alternate the two circuits, and use independent gfci outlets.
I'm almost certain that I read that you can't have separately protected circuits sharing a box. Perhaps this only applies to outlet boxes and not to junction boxes. If I can do it with fewer boxes, that would be great. Do you have a reference for that?
JP
Or, now that I'm thinking about it more, maybe this falls into a gray area. The circuits don't actually terminate in the box, but the wires themselves don't just pass through, either. There will most definitely be wire nuts involved..
JP
The NEC is a permissive document, so if you believe it is prohibited, then it is up to you to find an article prohibiting it. But I'm 100% sure there isn't one, it is done all the time.
Cheers, Wayne
I agree with Wayne, RBM and gfretwell. The number of circuits in a box is limited by the number of wires you can have in the box.
If an electrician can't figure it out it is natural selection.
If others can't figure it out they shouldn't be working on electrical.
If circuits have a common neutral, the breaker has to be 2 pole.
stan wrote: (snip)
While Stan is correct technically, for the sake of the poor SOB having to reverse-engineer the wiring 20 years from now at the next remodel, I would recommend against it. Wire things up vanilla, and label the runs in the panel (sharpie works great) and at the junction boxes. Plus labeling the breakers, of course. An annotated floorplan nailed to wall near the service panel, is a a wonderful gift to electricians not yet born.
-- aem sends...
And the "split" receptacles are required by code in many places.
That's what GFCI brakers are made for.
It's up to code if you use "tied" breakers - just like on a typical "split" (or Edison circuit as you guys call it).
On 8/18/2009 6:51 PM aemeijers spake thus:
Amen to that, "aem".
(Although that level of documentation seems to violate the Electrician's Creed, which must have a clause in it that reads something like "Thou shalt not label any panels unless the homeowner or inspector maketh you").
When I worked with the phone company, it was traditional, at a complicated site, that said something like, "Joe, installer # xyz is familiar with this installation."
Of course, when Joe retired or got transferred, you were, once again, out of luck.
The NEC only requires a common disconnect if there is a common neutral (multiwire branch circuit).
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