Random electrical wiring questions

Users who are viewing this thread

ShockHazard

New Member
Messages
50
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
North East Pennsylvania
1. Is it okay to have one half of an outlet it's own circuit, such as for an air conditioner? (yes, I broke off the tabs)
2. Can I have multiple wires in a strain relief?
3. How about a staple?
4. Should junction boxes be grounded?
5. Is there any disadvantage to using breakers that are two in one?
6. Why didn't I learn this before doing so much work?
 

DonL

Jack of all trades Master of one
Messages
5,205
Reaction score
72
Points
48
Location
Houston, TX
1. Is it okay to have one half of an outlet it's own circuit, such as for an air conditioner? (yes, I broke off the tabs)
2. Can I have multiple wires in a strain relief?
3. How about a staple?
4. Should junction boxes be grounded?
5. Is there any disadvantage to using breakers that are two in one?
6. Why didn't I learn this before doing so much work?


Is it April Fools ?


Be Careful when Playing with electricity.
 

Jadnashua

Retired Defense Industry Engineer xxx
Messages
32,771
Reaction score
1,191
Points
113
Location
New England
1. You probably wouldn't want 240 and 120vac in the same box, but the plugs are different. Assuming you are using a duplex receptacle, it is entirely fine to wire each with its own power feed as long as you break the tab(s). A common way to supply this is with 12/3 on a duplex CB, which then shares the neutral (so you wouldn't break that side). That kind of circuit will not work if you want to use a GFCI, as the current being shared would drive the thing crazy. 4. If it is a metal box. 5. if one side goes bad, you have to replace the whole thing.
 

Cacher_Chick

Test, Don't Guess!
Messages
5,458
Reaction score
213
Points
63
Location
Land of Cheese
What Jad said, to add that you must use cable staples or supports which are listed and labeled for multiple cables if that is how you will be using them.
 

Jadnashua

Retired Defense Industry Engineer xxx
Messages
32,771
Reaction score
1,191
Points
113
Location
New England
Basically, yes, you can wire the feed to each separately, either in a shared neutral situation or with entirely separate feeds. In either case, you always tie the grounds together, and if it is a metal box, bond them to the box as well as the receptacle's terminal. If you're using a 20-A circuit, and a 20-A receptacle, both must be 20A feeds regardless of what you plug into them.
 

Bobelectric

Electrical Contractor
Messages
39
Reaction score
0
Points
6
Location
Eighty Four,Pa. 15330
1. Is it okay to have one half of an outlet it's own circuit, such as for an air conditioner? (yes, I broke off the tabs)
2. Can I have multiple wires in a strain relief?
3. How about a staple?
4. Should junction boxes be grounded?
5. Is there any disadvantage to using breakers that are two in one?
6. Why didn't I learn this before doing so much work?

1. Yes if box has adequite cubic inches.
2. No unless you mean romex connector.
3. If listed for more than 1 cable.
4. Always.
5. They are approved.
6. You did't ask.
 

HarleyDog

New Member
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Syracuse, NY
It's a 110, in a bedroom where one person may be using the air conditioner while another is using an electric blanket.
Yeah, I know.

If you have two circuits connected to one yoke then both circuit breakers must have handle ties (or a double-pole breaker) in order to turn off both circuits. This is code, and it's to make sure that if somebody is trying to fix the receptacle, for whatever reason, they don't just turn off one-half without realizing the other half is still energized. Also, if you wire it with a shared neutral (12/3 with ground) you have to use a two-pole breaker. If you share a neutral, and the two circuits originate from the same "leg" you have a really good chance of over-heating the neutral and burning the house down. By using a two-pole breaker the neutral wire only carries the unbalanced portion of the load.
 

JWelectric

Electrical Contractor/Instructor
Messages
2,608
Reaction score
21
Points
38
Location
North Carolina
If you have two circuits connected to one yoke then both circuit breakers must have handle ties (or a double-pole breaker) in order to turn off both circuits. This is code, and it's to make sure that if somebody is trying to fix the receptacle, for whatever reason, they don't just turn off one-half without realizing the other half is still energized. Also, if you wire it with a shared neutral (12/3 with ground) you have to use a two-pole breaker. If you share a neutral, and the two circuits originate from the same "leg" you have a really good chance of over-heating the neutral and burning the house down. By using a two-pole breaker the neutral wire only carries the unbalanced portion of the load.

1. Yes if box has adequite cubic inches.
2. No unless you mean romex connector.
3. If listed for more than 1 cable.
4. Always.
5. They are approved.
6. You did't ask.

Both answers are correct and good answers
 

hj

Master Plumber
Messages
33,599
Reaction score
1,037
Points
113
Location
Cave Creek, Arizona
Website
www.terrylove.com
questions

1. Yes, assuming each "hot" wire is on a different leg of the 240 circuit, otherwise the neutral will be overloaded, and it does not have a circuit breaker to prevent it.
 
Top
Hey, wait a minute.

This is awkward, but...

It looks like you're using an ad blocker. We get it, but (1) terrylove.com can't live without ads, and (2) ad blockers can cause issues with videos and comments. If you'd like to support the site, please allow ads.

If any particular ad is your REASON for blocking ads, please let us know. We might be able to do something about it. Thanks.
I've Disabled AdBlock    No Thanks