View Full Version : Using a 12/3 romex to provide 2 circuits in kitchen
loupi01
May 10, 2007, 10:46 PM
What are the pro and cons of using 12/3 romex for 2 kitchen appliance ciruits.
Of course there will be a GFIC on each circuit. Can this be done using the same neutral wire?
Thanks in advance
tkrussell
May 11, 2007, 02:36 AM
The pro is you save the cost of one 3 wire cable compared to two 2 wire cables, plus labor. The con is if the neutral wire of the feeder ever loosens or breaks, this can cause abnormally high voltages to be delivered to the 120 volt appliances.
A shared neutral can feed GFI outlets, just cannot use a shared neutral on the load side of a GFI device. If GFI breakers are chosen, a shared neutral will not work with two 1 pole breakers. There are 2 pole GFI breakers available, but are very expensive, in the range of $130.00 each.
Any shared neutral must always use splices to connect to the two circuits, cannot use the screw terminals, this helps with eliminating the loose connection possibility.
hvac1000
May 11, 2007, 03:17 PM
The pro is you save the cost of one 3 wire cable compared to two 2 wire cables, plus labor. The con is if the neutral wire of the feeder ever loosens or breaks, this can cause abnormally high voltages to be delivered to the 120 volt appliances.
A shared neutral can feed GFI outlets, just cannot use a shared neutral on the load side of a GFI device. If GFI breakers are chosen, a shared neutral will not work with two 1 pole breakers. There are 2 pole GFI breakers available, but are very expensive, in the range of $130.00 each.
Any shared neutral must always use splices to connect to the two circuits, cannot use the screw terminals, this helps with eliminating the loose connection possibility.
Agree. I have always stayed away from shared neutrals.