Is it OK to share a neutral?

Although technically acceptable under the NEC, it is considered “bad practice” by industrial standards. Industry standards consider it especially bad practice to share neutrals for circuits intended for computer systems.

Why not to share neutrals?

When a current builds up on the neutral, the neutral can overheat. The additional current will cause the problem to be compounded when multiple circuits are connected to the shared neutral and buildup will occur.

How many hits can share a neutral?

If it is a 3 phase circuit you can have 3 hots per neutral as long as you are using the A, B & C phases for each neutral. A neutral is a current carrying conductor and must be the same size as the hot. The reason you can use 3 hots on a 3 phase circuit is because of the 120º differences between the phases.

What is the benefit of shared neutral?

A shared neutral circuit has an additional hot conductor, which is connected to the opposing phase. This allows a further 20 amps to be delivered, with the addition of only one conductor. There will be 240V between the two hot conductors, and 120V between either hot and neutral.

Can 2 switches share a neutral?

Yes. Short answer. All neutrals are tied together in a normal household wiring scheme. The hot/black wire is used to switch/turn on/off whatever is connected to each switch.

The dangers of a share neutral

Can 2 neutrals go together?

Neutrals can only be tied together at the breaker (or fuse) panel originating the circuit. In the case of GFCI/AFCI, they are tied together beyond the GFCI/AFCI breaker (from a circuit-side view.

Does neutral need to be isolated?

No electrical power neutral should be permitted an alternate pathway to ground on the load side of the ESE. This means that the entire length of the neutral conductor, to include splices and bus bars, must be kept isolated all the way to the supply side of the ESE.

Should a neutral have power?

Some people take the name neutral to mean that it doesn't have current running through it, but that is not the case. The neutral wire is part of the live circuit, which means anytime it is plugged in, it will likely have electrical current going through it.

What is the main purpose of neutral?

Neutral wire carries the circuit back to the original power source. More specifically, neutral wire brings the circuit to a ground or busbar usually connected at the electrical panel. This gives currents circulation through your electrical system, which allows electricity to be fully utilized.

How much neutral current is OK?

In a balanced single-phase or 3-phase system, the calculated neutral current is always = zero.

Will I get a shock if I touch neutral?

In typical power distribution networks in many parts of the world, the neutral is grounded, that is, tied directly to the ground wire and earth ground rod. For this reason, unless there is some wiring fault, touching the neutral wire should not give a shock.

Can 2 neutrals share a lug?

The other reason two neutral wires can't be connected under a single lug is because the connections might come loose, which could lead to a fire. The images below show an overheated conductor at a double-tapped neutral lug.

Does neutral carry voltage?

The neutral wire is often said to have zero voltage on it. If you touch that wire on a live system, however, you will often find out very quickly that technically having zero voltage is very different from meaning there is no electricity present.

Does neutral carry electricity?

A neutral wire is a current-carrying conductor that brings current back to the power source to establish control over the voltage. Usually identified by its white color, it takes the unused electricity back to the transformer.

Can neutral go with earth?

Neutral is a circuit conductor that normally completes the circuit back to the source. Neutral is usually connected to ground (earth) at the main electrical panel, street drop, or meter, and also at the final step-down transformer of the supply.

What is the rule for a neutral wire?

The Code considers the neutral conductor a current-carrying conductor only when it carries the unbalanced current from other ungrounded phase conductors. When circuits are properly balanced, the neutral carries very little current.

Does every circuit need its own neutral?

Without it, there would be no circuit for electricity to flow along and complete its circle back to the power source. Neutral wires are important at every point in your entire electrical system—from when they leave a transformer or fuse box all the way through their journey until they return to the source.

What happens if neutral is open?

If the grounded (neutral) service conductor is opened or not provided at all, objectionable neutral current will flow on metal parts of the electrical system and dangerous voltage will be present on the metal parts providing the potential for electric shock.

Can you share a neutral on separate circuits?

Only if the breakers are tied together. The NEC requires that if two or 3 circuits have one neutral, thatall 2/3 breakers will shut down if one is turned off. The reason being that there will still be a load on the neutral making it a hazard.

Can a split plug share a neutral?

With the tab removed, you must connect a different hot wire to each of the hot terminals in order to supply power to both halves of the receptacle. Because the neutral tab remains intact, you can connect a single neutral wire to either neutral terminal so that the two outlets share a neutral.

Are neutrals out of style?

Neutrals are never really out, but bright white and cool gray definitely are. Instead, they're evolving into creamier, earthier hues, says Gena Kirk, VP of Design Studio at homebuilder KB Home.

What happens if two neutral wires touch?

If two neutrals are under one lug and you only switch off one circuit breaker the second circuits return path will remain energized causing a dangerous hazard if contact is made by the electrician or arcing if the neutral wire comes in contact with any grounded parts of the panel.

How many neutral wires can you tie together?

300.3 references 310.4, tho 300.3 says all conductors of a circuit must be in the same cable, raceway, etc unless allowed elsewhere. Even if you meet that condition, you still cannot tie 2 or more #12 neutrals together.