Absolutely not. If the branch circuit is 20A then ALL the wiring on the circuit must be at least #12cu.

What is a branch circuit per NEC?

The first step in eliminating this confusion is to understand that the NEC defines a branch circuit as “the conductors between the branch circuit final overcurrent device protecting the circuit and the outlets” (such as receptacles or lights) [Art.

Can you use 14 3 lights?





ROMEX® 14-3 can also be used to power two different circuits. The trick is that each circuit uses a different hot wire, but they share the common wire and ground wire. This technique is used more for lighting circuits.

What is the small conductor rule?

Small Conductors.



Unless specifically permitted in 240.4(E) or (G), the overcurrent protection shall not exceed that required by (D)(1) through (D)(7) after any correction factors for ambient temperature and number of conductors have been applied.

Which NEC covers branch circuits?

Article 210 Branch Circuits

210.63 Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration Equipment Outlet
210.70 Lighting Outlets Required


Are multi wire branch circuits legal?





The National Electrical Code permits multiwire branch circuits, but adds requirements to make them safer. Section 210.4(B) states that in the panelboard where the branch circuit originates, all ungrounded conductors must be provided with a means to disconnect them simultaneously.

What is multiwire branch circuit?

According to NEC Article 100, a multiwire branch circuit consists of two or more ungrounded conductors that have a voltage between them, and a grounded conductor that has equal voltage between it and each ungrounded conductor of the circuit and that is connected to the neutral or grounded conductor of the system.

How many outlets can you put on 14-gauge wire?

If you are using standard two-receptacle outlets, you can wire four of them to a single 15-amp circuit using 14-gauge electrical wire. 14/2 wire on a 15-amp circuit can power 8 receptacles.

What is the difference between 12/3 and 14 3?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: 2 1 says 14. 3 what's the difference. Well if you look inside the jacket of a 14 2 wire you will see a black wire a white wire and a bare copper wire that's your hot neutral and ground wire.

Which of the following is not covered by the NEC?



The NEC does not cover electrical installations in ships, watercraft,o railway rolling stock, aircraft, or automotive vehicles.

What are the minimum required branch circuits in dwelling units?

Required circuits



A minimum of two 20A, 120V small-appliance branch circuits for receptacles in the kitchen, dining room, breakfast room, pantry, or similar dining areas [220.11(C)(1)]. These circuits must not be used to serve other outlets, such as lighting outlets or receptacles from other areas [210.52(B)(2) Ex].

What are the three types of branch circuits?

Branch Circuits

  • General Purpose Branch Circuit.
  • Appliance Branch Circuits.
  • Individual Branch Circuit.



When would you use a multiwire branch circuit?

Multiwire branch circuits are used in offices, hospitals, hotels, high-rise residential buildings, or similar facilities for a variety of power distribution systems including lighting, devices, and receptacles.

Does NEC allow shared neutrals?

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 a multiwire branch circuit be used to supply the two required kitchen circuits?

1 states that a multiwire branch circuit can supply other than line-to-neutral loads if it supplies only one piece of utilization equipment. Exception No. 2 permits other than line-to-neutral loads where all of the ungrounded (hot) conductors are opened simultaneously by the branch-circuit overcurrent device.

What can a multiwire branch circuit supply?



Exception 2: A multiwire branch circuit can supply both line-to-line and line-to-neutral loads if the circuit is protected by a device (multipole circuit breaker) that opens all ungrounded conductors of the multiwire branch circuit simultaneously (common internal trip) under a fault condition.

Can two separate circuits be in the same junction box?

The answer is yes you can have 2 separate circuits in the same box (they can have a splice also but not needed in your case). The only concern would be the total box fill. Based on the NEC the wire fill would be calculated at 2.0 for each conductor for 14 gauge wire and 2.25 for 12 gauge wire.

How many branch circuits are required for a split switched receptacle?

ANSWER: 210-4 Multiwire Branch Circuits (b) Dwelling Units. In dwelling units, a multiwire branch circuit supplying more than one device or equipment on the same yoke shall be provided with a means to disconnect simultaneously all ungrounded conductors at the panelboard where the branch circuit originated.

Can you put two circuits one outlet?

It’s possible to safely have two circuits feeding one receptacle, if you have a hot/neutral pair for each segment. Additionally, current code requires dipole breakers in this case, so overload on either circuit shuts off both.

Can I put a GFCI receptacle in Split receptacle?



To meet the requirements of the OESC, an existing 2-pole circuit breaker feeding kitchen counter split receptacle can be replaced with 2-pole GFCI breaker of Class A type to provide the required protection; or B.