Can 2 different circuits share a neutral?

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.

Do GFCI outlets need their own neutral?

Each GFCI does require a dedicated hot and neutral, but you can daisy-chain the ground. The way you would normally install two GFCI protected outlets is to put the GFCI closest to the panel, then daisy-chain a regular outlet off of it. If you put another GFCI downstream of a GFCI, it will not work correctly.

How many branch circuits can share a neutral?





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 share neutral on GFCI?

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.

Is it OK to share a neutral?

as long as the phase conductors are on different “phases” it’s fine. Recent code requires them to be on a double pole breaker though. I do it as much as possible in houses. It’s easier to pull one three wire for two circuits, than 2 separate two wires.

Can a dedicated circuit share a neutral?

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.

What does shared neutral mean?





A shared neutral is when more then one circuit uses the same neutral wire instead of its own wire for each circuit. If you are using a shared neutral the two breakers need to be on a common trip breaker or also known as a 2 pole breaker.

How do you wire a neutral shared circuit?


Quote from Youtube video: And the other goes to a switched outlet controlled by the other pair of 3-way switches bottom Center is two black wire splice together that's just the in and out for the circuit connected to breaker.

How many hot wires can share a neutral?

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 is a borrowed neutral?

A borrowed neutral is when you have two seperate circuits but you have taken the neutral from one circuit to supply the other with a neutral.

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 the neutral wire shock you?

If you touch the neutral wire in a live circuit, whether it be a lamp, an appliance or something else, it is the same as touching the active wire. It is only “safe” to touch the neutral wire when there is no current flowing, just as it is “safe” to touch the earth wire (when one exists). That is, “safe” is relative.

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.

Does neutral wire carry any current?



In a three-phase linear circuit with three identical resistive or reactive loads, the neutral carries no current. The neutral carries current if the loads on each phase are not identical. In some jurisdictions, the neutral is allowed to be reduced in size if no unbalanced current flow is expected.