![]() Don't let your house go up in Flames! Get it Right the First time! |
![]() |
![]() Residential Wiring - The Right Way! |
QUICK MENU |
Split Circuit OutletWHILE EXTREME CARE HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS
SELF-HELP DOCUMENT, THE AUTHOR AND/OR PROVIDERS OF THIS DOCUMENT
ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS, NOR IS ANY
LIABILITY ASSUMED FROM THE USE OF THE INFORMATION, CONTAINED IN THIS
DOCUMENT, BY THE AUTHOR and / OR PROVIDER.
Split circuit outlets have been used in kitchen counter areas for use with small appliances. Codes have evolved over the years and there is some variations on codes between Canada and the United States or even between jurisdictional locations. Since I am not working in the field I want to be able to provide information about split circuits but yet refer you to our expects I have lined up in our forums for verification and specific requirements where you live. My house was built in 1995 (in Canada) and I have split circuit outlets in the kitchen counter area and not GFI protected, having said that there has been a number of changes to the rules in regards to outlets within close distance to sinks above counter tops. ![]() h
In the above picture there are two
separate ungrounded conductors (hot) on a dual breaker coming to
the outlet, ( the black and red wires), the single grounded
conductor (neutral) gets connected at the panel to the neutral
bus, there is also a equipment grounding conductor (bare wire)
that gets connected to a grounding bus at the panel and to the
outlet electrical box (if metallic) and to the grounding screw
of outlet as well as any onward cables.
A split circuit is connected to a dual breaker at the panel, it is bridged so that is one circuit trips both circuits trip, at the outlet (or outlets) the joining tab between the brass color screws is broke off and the top half and bottom half of the outlet is on a separate circuit however a single grounded conductor (neutral) is used for the return. The two ungrounded conductors (hot) from separate circuits is connected to the brass color screws of outlet. Recent code revisions are now requiring circuits over the counter top near the sink to also have GFCI protection. Now that creates a problem with split circuits that to date I have never seen a split circuit GFI outlet. I have also read that there some variations on the type of outlet including some stating that the NEC allows to pass through 20 amps on a 15 amp outlet. Personally I prefer never to have anything that has been rated for 15 amps carry 20 amps.
From one of our experts on our forums, this is the Ontario Canada Kitchen codes summary...
I would strongly recommend that if you are wiring new kitchen outlets to take advantage of the expertise on our forums as we have moderators from both the United States and Canada on there, please be sure when seeking advice that you indicate the general area in which you live such as in the state of New York United States or live in the province of Ontario in Canada. By: Donald Kerr
|
HOME | About Us | Contact Us | FORUMS | Mobile Version | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Site Map |
Copyright 2012 +
All Rights Reserved
Donald Kerr / Wiring Done Right
https://www.wiringdoneright.com