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View Full Version : Shared neutral on 14/3 with tandem breaker


shanleyj
Jan 28, 2007, 01:41 PM
Hey all! I am a new member and learning a lot from this great forum.

I have a question about shared neutrals, 14/3 wire, and tandem breakers. I have seen several posts about shared neutrals, and want to make sure my home wiring is safe.

My home is about 7 years old, and I have 8 circuits coming out of my panel on 4 runs of 14/3 wire. These circuits are feeding receptacles and lights throughout my house. When we moved into the house a few years ago, I added a few circuits in the garage and basement. With no other spaces in the panel, I took 4 breakers out that fed some of these 14/3 circuits, and replaced these 4 breakers with two tandem breakers. I guess through reading other posts, I am now feeding each 14/3 wire on the same phase through one tandem breaker.

Is this safe? If not, should I alternate the 14/3 wires so that each wire is on a separate tandem breaker so that the black and red hots of each 14/3 wire will be fed from different phases?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Joe

tkrussell
Jan 28, 2007, 04:23 PM
Yes, each of the two hot legs of a 3 wire circuit must be on separate legs of the panel. Both circuits cannot be connected to the same tandem breaker.

With both legs on one tandem breaker and phase, the neutral can be overloaded.

shanleyj
Jan 29, 2007, 10:41 AM
Thank you for your help!

Joe