Re: Electrical question

"Joseph Meehan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> "volts500" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
> news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]

> >A multiwire branch circuit needs to have simultaneous

> > disconnection
> > of all ungrounded conductors _only_ if the it is supplying a device or
> > equipment on the _same_ yolk, such as a split wired duplex receptacle.
> Did
> > _not_ the OP say that he was going to install two duplex receptacle
> devices?
> > In that case a double pole breaker is not required, or, like Steve
pointed
> > out, may not be desired.
> >
>
>     I am going to step in here and note that you are right the original
> question did suggest two (or more) duplex receptacles.  I however did
> suggest that a single receptacle could be split.


At the risk of staying OT, the OP also stated: "Let's suppose I have a
properly wired 240 volt outlet...".  In a dwelling, with the exception of a
range or dryer circuit, a "properly wired" 240 volt circuit does not contain
a neutral conductor in the first place.  Standard practice is to simply use
a 2-wire cable with an equipment grounding conductor (14-2w g, 12-2w g,
10-2w g, etc.) with the white conductor marked (if you're lucky) where
visible.  A split-wired receptacle cannot (legally) be derived from that.
The OP would have to re-mark the marked "white" wire white (again) where
visible, remove it from the 2 pole breaker and land it on the neutral
busbar, then change the 240 volt receptacle to a 120......and make do with a
single duplex receptacle feed by only one circuit.  Even if a neutral were
present in the cable (12-3w g, etc,), standard practice when installing two
side-by-side duplex receptacles (two gang box) to a multiwire circuit is to
wire one duplex receptacle to one hot and the other hot to the other duplex
receptacle, and most importantly, pigtail the neutral.  In the past, in the
US, split-wired duplex receptacles (on the same yolk) were used where a 1
gang box was used in kitchens with multiwire circuits, and a tied 2 pole
breaker is still required for _that_ scenario.  In the US, when GFCI's
started to be required, split-wired receptacles basically became dinosaurs.
If one decides to use a split-wired receptacle (2 circuits on the same yolk)
then, yes, the breakers must be tied together by an approved means......i.e.
don't use a 6 penny nail.  And have fun providing GFCI protection for same.

In a dwelling, to the casual observer , the distinction may not be readily
apparent.  To a qualified electrician, it's common knowledge.


>     This thread does prove one thing.  FOLLOW the CODE!  Following the
code
> keeps everyone safe.  Failing to do that and trying to guess what is safe,
> is not smart.  There are far too many twist and turns that can result in
> dangerous situations for anyone to think they know better than the code.


In order follow the code one needs to know what the code _is_.


>     I do appreciate all the good advice (and some of the not so good) I
read
> here.  It seems we have enough good minds that in the end, the good advice
> comes to the top.

As do the vast majority of your many, informative posts.

> -- 
> Joseph E. Meehan
>
> 26 + 6 = 1  It's Irish Math
>
>
>
>