Can you share a neutral on 2 circuits?

What is a multiwire branch circuit? A multiwire branch circuit is a branch circuit with a shared neutral. This means there are two or more ungrounded (hot) phase or system conductors with a voltage between them and a shared neutral.

How many branch circuits can share a neutral?





one branch circuit

As you also mention, neutral conductors are not allowed for more than one branch circuit or one multiwire branch circuit or one set of ungrounded feeder conductors as stated in 200.4(A), unless specifically permitted elsewhere in this Code.

Can you mix neutrals from different circuits?

The grounding conductors all go together regardless of circuit, but the neutrals need to be separated.

Can you share a neutral on a dedicated circuit?

Moderator. A dedicated vs separate circuit is the argument– As I seeit a dedicated circuit should not share a neutral and a separate circuit may share it.

How many hot wires can share a neutral?





two hot wires

(Basically, two hot wires are sharing a neutral wire.)

Are shared neutrals allowed by NEC?

Sharing neutral or yoke



The NEC does not define multiple circuits. However, relating to 210.7, it appears to mean more than one circuit, on separate phases and each with its own neutral. If the circuits were on the same phase, simultaneous disconnection in the panelboard would not be possible.

Can 2 circuits share a ground?

The code requires each branch circuit to have an equipment ground (either a wire, or conduit, or cable tray as in 250.120A), they can be shared when they are in the same raceway. If all the 20A circuits are in one raceway then you just need one ground.

Can multiple switches use the same neutral wire?



If both switches are powered by the same breaker you can wire both to the same neutral.

Can you share neutrals in commercial?

Yes, as long as you put it on a 2 pole breaker or use a tie bar on 2 single pole breakers. and they are on opposite phases. But, You need to read installation manual first. MFGR.

Can receptacles share neutrals?

Yes. GFCI receptacles work fine supplied by a multi-wire circuit. GFCI circuit breakers have a separate terminal for the neutral wire which must be run with the hot wire.

What is a shared neutral in electrical terms?



A shared neutral is a connection in which a plurality of circuits use the same neutral connection. This is also known as a common neutral, and the circuits and neutral together are sometimes referred to as an Edison circuit.

How do you test for a shared neutral?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Simply hold the back of the receiver. Against the wall plate. Until you identify the highest numerical reading on drew Seaver at that location. Then continue scanning all the locations in the circuit.

Can two hot wires share the same neutral wire?

One neutral may not have two “hot” wires from the same phase. It is good practice to use four (4) pole Circuit breakers (as opposed to the standard three pole) where the fourth pole is the neutral phase, and is hence protected against over current on the neutral conductor.

What happens if the live wire touches the neutral wire?

In an electric iron being used in a household, the plastic insulation of live wire and neutral wire in the connecting cable gets torn. Due to this, naked live wire touches the naked neutral wire directly and the electric fuse of the circuit blows off.

Does neutral wire have power?



To summarize: the hot wire carries electricity from the power supply and takes it to the load (lightbulb). Neutral wires take the used electricity from the load and bring it back to the power supply.

Does current flow through neutral wire?

When electrical current returns to the power supply substation through a neutral conductor (a power line or wire), it is normal for a small amount of current to also flow through the earth. This will result in a small voltage called neutral-to-earth voltage (NEV).

Can you get a shock off a neutral wire?

The neutral wire does have current going through it. However, we do not get shocked when we touch something with current going through it, we get shocked when current goes through us. In this case all of the current that enters one end of the section of wire we are touching also leaves the other end.

Does a neutral wire carry voltage?

Voltage is carried by the live conductor, but a neutral conductor is also necessary for two important functions: Serving as a zero voltage reference point.

How much current does the neutral wire carry?



On any individual circuit (lamp or 120V outlet) the current in the neutral in that circuit is equal to the current in the “hot” wire.