[Ohio_Remodeler]

A 12/3 with ground wire is run from a kitchen to the service panel. I would like to use a double pole 20-amp breaker to supply the 2 small appliance outlets. Is this allowed by 2005 NEC?

[tkrussell]

It is only required if there will be the two circuits on one outlet that is split, otherwise you can if you like, however keep in mind if one circuit trips the other will be turned off also.

[Ohio_Remodeler]

Thanks for the quick reply. I would like to make sure I've got this correct.

The 12/3 source wire will go to C1-a. In this box, the black wire will be spliced with the black from another 14/2 wire, supplying the power for this receptacle and C1-b on 1 circuit. There will also be a splice from the red wire to the black wire of a different 12/2 wire which will supply C-2a, b, & c. These 2 circuits will share a neutral and a ground. Thus this fulfills the 2 small appliance circuit requirements for a kitchen with 12/3 instead of 2 runs of 12/2.

Also, do you happen to know if they make a Square D double pole 20-amp tandem breaker?

[tkrussell]

Why a double pole tandem? No they don't. Take my advice, with the panel you have, and the circuits you need to add, using tandem breakers and shared neutrals is tricky, so really best to use all 2 wire cable and stay away from shared neutrals.

[Ohio_Remodeler]

Thanks for the advice I won't use a shared neutral. The reason I asked is because there are 2 home runs of 12/3 going to this apartment. The run is pretty tricky and I would like to run as little new cable as possible.

Would it be okay to use the 12/3 to supply only one of the kitchen circuits? Then a wirenut could be put on the traveler at the first junction box and also at the panel.

[tkrussell]

Thanks for the advice I won't use a shared neutral. The reason I asked is because there are 2 home runs of 12/3 going to this apartment. The run is pretty tricky and I would like to run as little new cable as possible.

Understand, then do what makes sense.

Would it be okay to use the 12/3 to supply only one of the kitchen circuits?

Sure.

Then a wirenut could be put on the traveler at the first junction box and also at the panel.

This traveler? Not sure what you mean by traveler. If you mean to splice and use a pigtail to the outlet, that is exactly what must be done, as you cannot use the screws to connect the neutrals, in case a neutral screw comes loose.

At the panel, DO NOT PUT BOTH CIRCUITS ON ONE TANDEM BREAKER. One circuit must be on one leg, and the other circuit must be on the other leg. This is very important that you understand.

[Ohio_Remodeler]

I didn't explain that last part very well. I was trying to confirm what should be done with the red wire in the 12/3 at the service panel and at the first junction box.

This is with the 12/3 supplying only one circuit. At the service panel, the black wire will obviously connect to a breaker and the white wire and ground will connect to the bus bar. However, since the red wire is not being used, I am assuming a wire nut is put on the red wire at the service panel and another wire nut is put on the red wire at the first junction box. After the first junction box the rest of the circuit would be wired with 12/2.

I am asking you this to confirm that the NEC does not have a rule prohibiting an unutilized red wire on a 12/3 circuit, such as the circuit I would like to setup in this case.

Thanks for mentioning the tandem breaker issue. I understand that if the 2 circuits were to share a neutral that they can not be on a tandem breaker and that they must be on different legs.

[tkrussell]

Oh OK sure, just cap both ends of the red wire and fold into the box at each end, no problem.