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    soyuppy's Avatar
    soyuppy Posts: 25, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Aug 4, 2007, 07:48 AM
    240V/20Amp to 2(120V/?Amp)
    I have a 240V line with max load 20Amp. If I split each of the hot 120V leg sharing the neutral and ground to 2 individual 120V outlet/receptacle, what would the max amp load of each? Does it sill maintain 20Amp? Or reduce by 1/2? Is there a formula to this?

    Thanks.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #2

    Aug 4, 2007, 12:29 PM
    You can have a #12 Red, #12 Black, share a common Neutral, So long as they are on opposite phases(breakers next to each other are usually opposite phase, When both breakers are on, should read 240 volts off both breakers, if 0 volts, they are on same phase. Has cancelling effect. If 1 draws 15 amps and other draws 10, the Neutral will carry 5 amps(15-10=5)Do not place both hots on same phase, (15+10=25 Amps) You can overheat and overload your neutral. It would be possible for neutral to see almost 40 amps. Those could both be 20 amp breakers.
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