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20 Amp circuit - Canadian Code

Started by Ed, September 02, 2020, 06:37:29 AM

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Ed

Hello,

So this is mainly a question for Electricians familiar with Canadian Code.

 I'm about to run two dedicated 20 Amp circuits to my Sim. The run is 35 feet. I would like to use 12/3 cable with a double pole 20 amp breaker versus running two lines of 12/2 and 2 x 20 amp breakers.

 The run will end at two receptacles, 4 plugin points. The two circuits will share a common neutral. Red and Black will each go to separate poles on the Double Pole 20 Amp breaker. Both circuits will trip because of the double pole breaker so no chance of having a live neutral. 

Is there any possibility that I could overload the neutral with this setup? From what I understand the black should cancel the red as they will be attached to two different legs/poles which should leave a very negligible amount of difference to be carried on the neutral. I may be missing something though so asking here first before I go ahead and buy the 12/3 and double pole breaker.

As an added point of interest, I will have it inspected by a licensed electrician when I'm finished but want to save a few hundred dollars by doing the grunt work myself.
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Trevor Hale

#1
Hey Ed.

I am not an electrician.  But I do know / Understand Electrical in Ontario.

I would NOT do the double pole breaker.  The Double Pole Breaker will give you opposing phases (thus 240V)  this would not be approved by the building code. What I would do is run your 12/3 from 2 20A Single pole Breakers.  Inside the electrical panel all the neutrals are connected together regardless.  So Sharing a Neutral is not an issue (Typically the Blue wire - taped white on both ends) then RED and Black on each of the single pole 20A Breakers.

No issues as long as your cable is secured and out of harms way.
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Ed

Quote from: Trevor Hale on September 02, 2020, 12:57:38 PMHey Ed.

I am not an electrician.  But I do know / Understand Electrical in Ontario.

I would NOT do the double pole breaker.  The Double Pole Breaker will give you opposing phases (thus 240V)  this would not be approved by the building code. What I would do is run your 12/3 from 2 20A Single pole Breakers.  Inside the electrical panel all the neutrals are connected together regardless.  So Sharing a Neutral is not an issue (Typically the Blue wire - taped white on both ends) then RED and Black on each of the single pole 20A Breakers.

No issues as long as your cable is secured and out of harms way.


Thanks Trevor,

I'll take a look at using two 20 amp breakers and possibly 2 runs of 12/2. I don't like the idea of getting mixed up with 240 volts. I happen to have two 20 amp breakers already but was playing around with the idea of using a double pole 20 amp with one run of 12/3, with a black going to one receptacle and the red going to the other and both receptacles sharing the neutral blue/white (depending on cable). My main concern of using two breakers was that if one tripped, the other circuit would still be live and sharing the neutral of the tripped circuit. Two runs of 12/2 would solve that concern. Hope this makes sense. I haven't purchased any cable yet so all options are still on the table.
P3D5.3HF2, 3 x W10 PC's, FSUIPC 6.19 ,WideFS, Prosim737 V3 ,ASP3D, Vpilot, GSXL2, Pro-ATC/X, RAAS Pro, AIG Traffic, ,PFPX, TopCat, SimSounds,  http://www.737ngxca.com/

Trevor Hale

Ed,
You may not quite be thinking the installation is as you think.

the neutral doesn't go through the breaker at all. The neutral is always direct to your outlet.  Makes no difference if you use 2 12/2 or 1 12/3 the neutral is always connected to the neutral of your panel.

Your 1 run of 12/3 is not going to keep a Neutral live because the neutral doesn't go through the breaker.  the true difference is the neutrals are connected to each other at the receptacles, or they are connected together at the panel.  no difference.  Your always going to have a Neutral wire connected if the breakers trip or not.

If I was you, I would run the 1 12/3 to the two receptacles in a double gang box.
Trevor Hale

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KyleH

#4
The bigger concern with the two sharing a neutral is that neutral wire now has the potential to be carrying up to 40A on it. Better have wire rated for that kind of current.

Two breakers, two separate boxes, two sets of wires...can't have a breaker trip and there still be power in the box.
Kyle

Chief Pilot
Worldflight Team USA
http://www.worldflightusa.com

KyleH

Just checked my Ontario electrical code reference from 2011 (so it could be different now).
15A circuits allow for 3/12 wire to be used for kitchen counter dual receptical dual breake outlets. Breakers must be next to eachother so a bar can connect them together.

But 20A outlets must be separate breakers and seperate 2/12 wire runs for the circuit to seperate boxes.
Kyle

Chief Pilot
Worldflight Team USA
http://www.worldflightusa.com

Ed

Thanks Trevor and Kyle,

Will be going with 2 breakers, 2 boxes and two separate lines of 12/2. It's a little extra work but will be the safest way to go.

Thanks again,

Ed
P3D5.3HF2, 3 x W10 PC's, FSUIPC 6.19 ,WideFS, Prosim737 V3 ,ASP3D, Vpilot, GSXL2, Pro-ATC/X, RAAS Pro, AIG Traffic, ,PFPX, TopCat, SimSounds,  http://www.737ngxca.com/

Trevor Hale

Awesome Kyle.

Thanks for the information.  Learned something today.

Trev
Trevor Hale

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http://www.cockpitbuilders.com

Director of Operations
Worldflight Team USA
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