Wiring Question - three wires, two hot.

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for your note. I did exactly you describe and all is well!

The receptacle in question was put in by a licenced electrician a few years ago in a basement area where we have a small overflow kitchen. It was surplus and on a dedicated circuit. We do not use the kitchen area as a kitchen...perhaps twice a year will use the oven..thats it.

Hopefully...no code violations!

Thanks to you and everyone else for your input.

You guys are great!

Louis

The split receptacles with a separate circuit to the top and bottom outlet were required by the Canadian electric code for kitchen receptacles.

-- Tom H

Thanks Again Tom...good to know why that was done.

I really appreciate the help!

Louis

If it is a kitchen, whether you use it or not, what you did IS a code violation. There is nothing to stop the next owner of your house from using the kitchen.

How can it be a violation?

He REMOVED an outlet from a kitchen and installed a new outlet from those two circuits in a NEW location. He didn't add anything to the kitchen area.

No, it's not a 240v circuit. It's just two 120v circuit feeding the small appliance circuit. To save wire, some people run 12/3 rather than two 12/2's.

imho,

tom @

Curious, do you have a section? I understand you might be referencing Canada's regs, so I just want to know the basis.

I mean, a whole house's disconnect can be six seperate breakers, so why a receptacle is required to be one?

Thank you for your help,

tom @

I think you are right about meeting current codes. If you do repair or installion of equipment, unless the code allows for certain existing conditions, i believe you need to do work to today's requirements.

later,

tom @

moving meaing you installed it in a new location. So it was a new receptacle?

thanks,

tom