Home & Garden

[2024 CODE UPDATE] Ask me anything about home electrical requirements, electrical code, wiring, devices

  • Last Updated:
  • Mar 26th, 2024 3:58 pm
Tags:
None
Deal Expert
User avatar
Oct 26, 2003
39343 posts
6342 upvotes
Winnipeg

[2024 CODE UPDATE] Ask me anything about home electrical requirements, electrical code, wiring, devices

Saw few post asking about the Canadian Electrical Code, it seems people like to give complicated and confusing answers. I'm an electrical engineer and I do this for a living, feel free to ask me about code related issues, wiring types, installation, devices, etc. I'm specialized in commercial and institutional design but I do residential occasionally.

Canadian Electrical Code 2024 effective date unconfirmed
Alberta April 1, 2025
Saskatchewan 2025
Winnipeg January 1, 2025
Manitoba 2026
Ontario May 2025

Canadian Electrical Code 2021 effective date
Alberta 2021
Saskatchewan 2021
Winnipeg July 1, 2022

Canadian Electrical Code 2018 effective date
Manitoba

National Building Code 2020 effective date
British Columbia (BCBC 2024) Mar 8, 2024
Alberta (NBC AE 23) May 1, 2024
Saskatchewan January 1, 2024
Manitoba (MBC 2024) January 1, 2024

National Building Code 2015 effective date
Quebec (CCQ) July 1, 2023
Nova Scotia (NSBC) October 1, 2022
PEI July 29, 2023
Newfoundland & Labrador 2018
Yukon unknown date
North West Territories Oct 1, 2017
Nunavut September 6, 2018

National Building Code 2010 effective date
Ontario (OBC 2012) unknown date
New Brunswick (BCAA) March 17, 2020

Manitoba Electrical Code 2018 Effective in Manitoba except for Winnipeg
NECB 2020
LEED v4.1
Ontario Electrical Code 2015
Ontario Building Code 2015
Toronto Green Standards
Lighting Design & Simulation
Power Distribution 120/208/277/347/600/13.8kV single and 3 phase
Fire Alarm
Security
Communication/Data, Cat6/A, Fiber single/multi-mode OS1/OS2/OM4, 802.11AC, 802.11AX, PoE++, PoH
Ashrae 90.1-2020
Solar & EV

Manitoba (sans Winnipeg) is using CEC 2018, Winnipeg is using CEC 2021, here is a list of stuff relevant to residential homes.

4-022 neutral wire required for all light switches.
6-200 Multi position meter socket up to maximum of 4 meters
8-104 maximum circuit loading, label requirement from 2-100(4) only needed when using table 13.
8-200 calculated load for single dwelling has been changed to wattage instead of the previous amperage, this is due to the fact some dwelling uses 240V (residential) and some uses 208V (commercial), which means if using 208V then higher amperage is required to achieve the same wattage rating, thus by changing over to wattage in the code, it will reflect the proper capacity of the service that is required.
Section 10 grounding and bonding, this section has been rearranged to separate out grounding and bonding as they are actually different.
10-210 replaced. Service grounding connection shall be accessible, therefore it is not allowed to be located inside the meter socket as that is locked by hydro
12-610 Termination of armored cable. Caution ACWU90 is not a TECK cable and require the use of anti-short, whereas TECK90 do not require anti-short. This is because TECK90 cable have another layer of insulation that wraps the individual conductors. A lot of contractor treat ACWU90 as aluminum TECK, but it is not TECK.
10-612 devices that comes with bonding terminal shall have bonding be provided. Like light switches that do not come with a bond screw do not need a bond wire, but some light switches do (mostly sensors), so those switches needs bond wire, even if you have a non-metallic box (pvc).
10-614 Use overcurrent device rating unless it is for service entry, which shall use conductor rating.
16-300 PoE limited power conductor
26-652 separate dedicated circuit for refrigerator receptacle shall only be required in a kitchen. A kitchen is defined as including stove, countertop and cabinet. Therefore other fridge like bar fridge or under counter fridge do not require dedicated circuit and can be circuited to any other circuit.
26-656 arc fault protection. Hydro’s interpretation for renovation with existing receptacles on non-arc fault circuit is that they will allow it to remain and the receptacle can be connected to the same circuit using 2 methods.
Method #1: Provide armored cable or EMT conduit from the existing plug that the circuit will be extended from, then connect to a AFCI receptacle. Any more receptacle after the AFCI receptacle can be wired normally with standard tamper plugs.
Method #2: Replace the existing receptacle where the circuit will be extended from, then wire normally with standard tamper plugs after that.
Note there is no need to touch any other existing circuit or plugs as there is no requirement to bring everything up to code, only the modified device.
26-656 Dead front arc fault device is only permitted for use in the city of Winnipeg, hydro does not allow this. And it is only allowed for existing panels that have no space for new AFCI breaker.
26-656, 26-707, 26-722 AFCI is not required for out building receptacles, such as posts, garage, fence.
26-708 Weatherproof covers for receptacles, extra duty rating is only required for wet location, not for damp location. That means your plug recessed within the soffit is within damp location and do not require extra duty covers.
26-724 Kitchen wall receptacles no longer required separate circuit. The receptacle is still needed in the kitchen but you can place it on any other circuit. Maximum is still 12 plugs on 1 circuit but that is no concern for us as we should not be loading it up that high anyway.
32-200 Smoke and Smoke/CO Combo alarms. Permitted on AFCI and/or GFCI circuit provided there is integral battery backup. Otherwise it has to be on a non AFCI/GFCI circuit. Heat detector required to tie into Smoke/CO alarms are not allowed to be on AFCI/GFCI circuit as the heat detector does not comes with battery backup. Wireless Smoke/CO alarms are not permitted for code compliance. They can be used as additional optional alarms, but not as a substitute to hardwired alarms.
62-132 Heating devices, electric baseboard heaters within 1.8m off the ground and 1.5m to water source shall be GFCI protected. That means if you going to put one in the washroom, it needs GFCI.
64-218 Photovoltaic rapid shut down requirement is back in again. It is required at the utility meter and/or at the array
68-306 massage tub, the GFCI disconnect shall be visible from the tub.
For dwelling units that is more than 2 units. VDB permit is required for voice, data and video wiring. Cost is $20.25 per unit, or $360 fine. So this applies to fourplex and row house, not for single or duplex.
Building fee and charges updated for 2019.

CEC 2018 CODE UPDATE

1. CEC 2018 to be released on Jan 2, with 262 revisions/clarifications from 2015.
2. 8-104 continuous current rating to be labeled on all electrical distribution equipment. Panels, switchboard, MCC, CDP, meter stacks, etc.
3. 26-242 transformers bigger than 50 KVA shall have minimum horizontal working space of 1m on the side of conductor termination. This applies to one side if the transformer have both the primary and secondary feeder connected to one side, or both side in the normal case.
4. Table 39, if used, shall have the calculated continuous current rating labelled on electrical distribution equipment. This is mostly used in residential.
5. Temperature rating applied to feeder sizes to Tables D8A-D11B, D17A-D17N, D12E (1) (2)
6. Section 4 light switch shall have identified (neutral) conductor in junction box. Previously for the dimmers that doesn’t require neutral, the bond is used as reference as code allows for minor leakage through bond, hence that’s how it gets power, but no longer.
7. Table 11 & 12, EV table D1 new conductor/feeder types. There seems to be at least 4 different types of charger cable.
8. Section 6-112(2) overhead service feeder point of attachment.
9. 6-212(3) utility service line side feeder not to touch or cross load side feeder.
10. 8-104(5)-(7), continuous operation 80% or 100%.
11. 8-106(1) 5% rule deleted.
12. 8-106(11)-(12) EV energy management systems (EVEMS) to apply reduced demand factor.
13. 8-110 determination of areas above/below ground, generalized.
14. Section 10 rewritten, table 16A & 16B consolidated into table 16.
15. Armored cable can now be used under slab.
16. Section 12 new technology cable PCS, NMDH90. Combined power and data in a single hybrid feeder.
17. 12-102(1)-(2) low temperature conductor, refer to appendix B notes.
18. 12-1302 deleted.
19. New rule regarding running of extra low voltage feeder on suspended ceiling (ACT).
20. 12-1250 to 12-1268 high density polyethylene (HDPE) conductor in conduit types.
21. Section 16 rule for power over Ethernet, refer to table 16.
22. 16-212(5) requirements for equipment class 2 output.
23. Section 18 intrinsically safe non-incentive circuits for zone 2, refer to appendix F and appendix J. updated for user friendly wording.
24. New table 70, equipment types permitted in different zones.
25. Heavy duty (HD) liquid tight flexible metal conduit now allowed for use in hazardous locations, zone 2.
26. 18-052 appendix B temperature outside ambient range.
27. Section 29 new table 69, hazardous locations within bulk storage space.
28. Section 24, C22.2 No. 204 line isolation monitoring alert trigger level increased. Can now use metallic conduit in zone.
29. 24-102 clarified.
30. Section 26 unit substation.
31. 26-258(4) primary and secondary conductor of high voltage and low voltage transformer.
32. 26-722(a) more than one refrigerator receptacle allowed per circuit.
33. 26-724 AFCI exemptions reduced or removed.
34. 26-724(e) no need for dedicated circuit in kitchen area.
35. 26-700(12) tamper receptacles required in hotel guest room, daycare, schools.
36. 30-200 combustible materials may be in proximity to light fixtures.
37. Section 30 disconnect to LED light fixture exceeding 150VAC to ground.
38. Section 32-200, 32-206.
39. 32-119 smoke/co alarm with battery backup are allowed to be on AFCI/GFCI circuit.
40. Section 62 electric heating in area with sink, shower or tub require GFCI protection.
41. Section 64 renewable energy systems, disconnect means, rapid shutdown system, define recombiner.
42. 64-202 feeder voltage exemption raised from 1000VDC to 1500VDC.
43. Section 78 GFCI expanded to floating piers and docking facilities.

March 2018 update, all new houses shall have minimum of 200A service. This is part of the EV charging requirement update but most only applies to commercial installations. This is the only part that affects home owners.

2019 Public Service Announcement
It appears there are 3 types of smoke alarms sold in stores, those are ionization, photoelectric and combination alarm types, ensure you will only install photoelectric type and NOT ionization and combination type. Ionization type are best to detect flash fires, as those tends to throw ionization particles in the air due to the extreme heat, however most home fires are of the smoldering type, which is better suited for photoelectric type detection. The combination type uses 2 different gate logic, with the OR logic, it combines the useful photoelectric with the annoying ionization which are prone to nuisance detection and causes many people to disable the alarm, and with the AND logic, it requires both detection to activate in order for the alarm to sound, which is too late.

NEW CEC 2021 CODE UPDATE
Here is a list that may concern most of the members.
Power over ethernet requires permit.
2-022 Renovations where walls are open, electrical installation is required to be brought up to code, such as replace any existing knob and tube wiring.
8-106(3) Electric heat or air conditioning loads are only either/or if they are interlocked so only one or the other can be used.
8-108 Panelboards installed in dwelling units must have spare spaces for future loads.
22-108(1) Category 1 and 2 locations receptacles shall be of weather resistant type and marked WR, even if the receptacle is GFI.
26-704 all receptacles of 5-15R or 5-20R configuration installed outdoors within 2.5m of the finished grade, shall be GFI protected.
26-956 submersible pumps installed in or on bodies of water shall be provided with GFI protection set at not greater than 10mA for an operating time of 2.7s regardless of the location of the motor.
64-002 DC disconnect may be integral to the combiner and inverter.
They made Table 6 much more complicated. No longer a simple look up table, but rather have to manually calculate based on cross sectional area of all cables.

Known issues that affect residential dwelling as of 2023:
Whirlpool Microwave Intermittently Tripping AFCI 15 Amp Breaker
The microwave draws 1400W and the fan draws about 100W which causes the breaker to trip when both are on at the same time. The issue is with the microwave unit, the manufacturer should have required 20A receptacle if it can't operate both the microwave and fan at the same time. Or at least auto power limit when both are on at the same time. You need to ensure your build with 20A circuit, but if that is too late, then here are your options in the order of the cheapest to most expensive:
1. Power limit to 90% via microwave setting.
2. Don't use the microwave and rangehood fan at the same time. This is kind of a hassle to remember.
3. Change out the microwave unit with a lesser power hungry model.
4. Change out the circuit to 20A.
Microwave rangehood receptacle requires AFCI, back in the day before the widespread use of AFCI and GFCI breaker, it was simple thermomagnetic breaker which is not as sensitive and the tripping curves are a lot more "forgiving" if you want to look at it that way. Once they started introducing more electronics into overcurrent protection to shape the curve it get a lot more tighter and precise.

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment aka Level 2 charging for existing single family dwelling. The typical electrical service has been 100A and this size generally will not support adding a 40A Level 2 charger. According to my calculations, the maximum you can do is to add a 30A dryer plug (or direct wired) Level 2 charger.

CEC 2024 CODE UPDATE (placeholder)
1. Table 6 has been difficult to use since 2021. For many years it has shown the number of conductors that fits in a conduit size, however the last edition has made it into a manual calculation. Will review how this is handled in the new code.
2. Table 29 Rating or setting of overcurrent devices for the protection of motor branch circuits. The type of motor starter has been missing VFD. Will review how this is handled in the new code.
3. Table 38 Electric vehicle supply equipment demand factors have near 100% demand. This has caused service sizing issues everywhere. Will review how this is handled in the new code.

All the circuits in a standard residential single family dwelling unit

PANELBOARD SCHEDULE
15A-1P LIGHTING & SMOKE/CO ALARMS
20A-1P KITCHEN COUNTERTOP 5-20R
20A-1P KITCHEN COUNTERTOP 5-20R
20A-1P KITCHEN ISLAND 5-20R
20A-1P KITCHEN PENINSULAR COUNTERTOP 5-20R
20A-2P KITCHEN ELECTRIC COOKTOP
40A-2P KITCHEN ELECTRIC RANGE/OVEN
15A-1P KITCHEN GAS RANGE/OVEN (AFCI)
15A-1P KITCHEN RANGEHOOD (AFCI)
20A-1P KITCHEN RANGEHOOD/MICROWAVE (AFCI)
15A-1P DINING AREA & HALLWAY & STORAGE REC (AFCI)
15A-1P BEDROOM REC (AFCI)
15A-1P BEDROOM REC (AFCI)
15A-1P BEDROOM REC (AFCI)
15A-1P FRIDGE
15A-1P FREEZER (AFCI)
15A-1P DISHWASHER (DIRECT) & GARBURATOR (5-15R)
15A-1P WASHROOM GFI
15A-1P WASHER (AFCI)
30A-2P DRYER 14-30R
15A-1P LAUNDRY ROOM REC (AFCI)
15A-1P SUMP PUMP
15A-1P UTILITY ROOM REC (AFCI)
15A-1P EXTERIOR GFI (AFCI)
15A-1P CENTRAL VACCUM REC (AFCI)
30A-2P ELECTRIC HEAT / HEATPUMP (DIRECT)
50A-2P EVSE LEVEL 2 14-50R
20A-1P ATTACHED GARAGE 5-20R (AFCI)
15A-1P ATTACHED GARAGE DOOR OPERATOR (AFCI)
20A-1P DETACHED GARAGE 5-20R
15A-1P DETACHED GARAGE DOOR OPERATOR

I been getting questions about the cost to hire people, that will mostly depending on your local market but the rates I generally see are the following:

Consultants:
Principle engineer $300/h
Senior engineer $200~270/h
Intermediate engineer $170~$200/h
Junior engineer $130~$170/h
Drafter $100~130/h
Admin $100~130/h

Trades:
Project manager $150~$170/h
Foreman $130~$150/h
Electrician journeyman $100~$130/h
Electrician apprentice $80~$110/h
Skill labor $80~$90/h
General labor $60~$80/h

Keep in mind projects are quoted at fixed price so you won't encounter hourly rate unless the scope of work is not defined so they can't give you a total project cost or due to changes.

Canada BEV rebate $5000.
Canada EVSE rebate for commercial installation, 50% up to $5000 per unit. Program approved to 2027.
Manitoba BEV rebate $4000 for new and $2500 for used. Official announcement pending.
BC BEV rebate $4000.
QC BEV rebate $7000.
Last edited by divx on Mar 15th, 2024 2:29 pm, edited 31 times in total.
8291 replies
Deal Addict
User avatar
Jan 2, 2012
4682 posts
3973 upvotes
KINGSTON,ON
OK I'll take you up on your offer. :D
I went to replace a GFI on an outdoor box, and discovered that the box itself had two circuits on two different breakers fed by 14/3. One circuit terminated at the GFI, while the other carried on and fed a series of internal receptacles.
I couldn't figure out why the GFI wouldn't test/reset until I realised that there was a downstream load; ( a DSL modem, of all things.) (I'm assuming that the GFI was detecting the voltage differential on the neutral side, thus causing it to stay tripped.
Do you happen to know if this Code compliant, and better still, wise? My argument is, having two circuits feeding into a device box is, as it has been pointed out to me, not a Code violation, bad layout. In this scenario, if the GFI tripped, all the interior loads would have to be disconnected (TV's, modems and potentially anything else that could be running, or even in standby mode) before it could be reset.
Deal Expert
User avatar
Oct 26, 2003
39343 posts
6342 upvotes
Winnipeg
simple solution is just try replace the GFI receptacle, one time I installed a brand new GFI receptacle and it won't work, could be it was faulty, then after I replaced it works again. It is possible the device is faulty or became faulty.

GFI will work with 14/3 2 circuit configuration the way you mentioned, cause only 1 circuit is used by the GFI. GFI sense current difference between hot and neutral internally, it will not measure the current from other sources.

Having multiple circuit in a junction box is normal.

If GFI is tripped, you can reset it by pressing the reset button, no need to disconnect the load unless the load is causing a fault.
Deal Guru
User avatar
Oct 24, 2012
11641 posts
2620 upvotes
Montreal
I have an old 100A fuse panel that does its job so I don't want to replace it.
It only has one slot for 60A (fuses) which is used for the range and I can't relocate that to a 30A slot.
I want to hook up a subpanel (breakers) rated 60A right next to my fuse panel so I can add several new circuits.

Can rule 28-110 (2)(a) apply?
My plan is as follow:

1. Link the main panel with the sub panel with a 6" piece of 1.5" EMT
2. Cut off a strip of insulation from the two #3 copper wires that go from the main 100A fuses to the bus bars.
3. Install a properly sized split bolts that would tap the two #3 to two #6 TW90 copper.
4. Wrap the tap with self vulcanizing rubber to the appropriate thickness, wrap that with electrical tape.
5. Pass the two #6 through the EMT that goes to the sub panel and hook them up to the main 60A breakers.
6. Another #6 would go to a space on the neutral bus bar in the main panel to the neutral bus bar of the sub panel.
7. Same as step 6 with bare #6 copper from ground bus to sub's ground bus.

I know the NEC has the same rule, but it isn't classified under motor loads. That's why I ask.


Yeah, that's right, I went straight to hard mode ;)
Deal Expert
User avatar
Oct 26, 2003
39343 posts
6342 upvotes
Winnipeg
60A is too big for range though. you can double lug a panel but I'm not familiar with the old fuse panel. You may be better off just replace the panel.
#3 wire is fine, your method is also fine, if you really want to proceed you can but it's gonna look terrible.
Deal Fanatic
User avatar
Oct 19, 2008
7407 posts
2998 upvotes
Whitby
Why not relocate some circuits to the new panel; use the space freed up to install breakers to feed the pony sub panel. That will look clean and the sub panel will be 'protected' as its being fed from breakers.

I didn't think you could double lug to install a new panel divx?...by that you mean feed the sub panel by installing the wire ends into the lugs the main panel is fed by?
Deal Guru
User avatar
Oct 24, 2012
11641 posts
2620 upvotes
Montreal
I'd love to replace the panel, but the main disconnect is part of the panel. So to cut the power so I can remove it, I'd have to pull the meter out. I'd rather not get the POCO involved.

Yeah 60A is too big, but the fuses in the 60A slot are 35A. It's a block with tube fuses. It's the only block that can hold fuses up to 60A.
But while I have plenty of 30A slots, I can't put a range on it.

Double lug, hmmm then I'd still have to have #6 to go to the stove just so it matches the capacity of the 60A fuses.

So if my method is fine, I'll go for that. Looking terrible is a matter of opinion. Two panels side by side linked by a EMT raceway kinda looks "cool" to me :p
The splices will be hidden in the 2nd half of the main panel where the main disconnect is located.

Thanks for confirming my idea.
Zamboni wrote: Why not relocate some circuits to the new panel; use the space freed up to install breakers to feed the pony sub panel. That will look clean and the sub panel will be 'protected' as its being fed from breakers.
The main panel is a fuse panel, not breaker panel. Now whether breaks are better than fuses, that's another story and I still believe fuses are safer (excluding GFCI and AFCI breakers).

Anyway, the main panel has 18 screw fuse slots (30A max), 3x 30A 240v fuse holders, and 1x 60A 240 fuse holder.
There is only ONE space I can use and that's the 60A. That 60A is used by the range.
If I transfer the range to the sub panel, then I gained nothing in capacity vs. just feeding it with a 30A set of fuse.
Deal Addict
User avatar
Jan 2, 2012
4682 posts
3973 upvotes
KINGSTON,ON
alkizmo wrote: Now whether breaks are better than fuses, that's another story and I still believe fuses are safer (excluding GFCI and AFCI breakers).
+1
I once came across a breaker in a damp basement that was seized from corrosion.
Deal Guru
User avatar
Oct 24, 2012
11641 posts
2620 upvotes
Montreal
The protection of the #6 wires is the 60A breakers in the subpanel.
Sure, the #6 can't handle 100A, but the chances of a short circuit occuring in between the line taps and the 60A fuses is almost impossible. Those wires are encased the whole time in the main panel, EMT and subpanel. And even if it did occur.. as I said, they are encased and it's not like they are #14 wires, they're #6, they can handle 60% of the 100A fuses. The 100A fuses will pop fast enough (it's not like a short will only use 100A, it will use ALL the amps).

I mean, think about it, the wires going from the electric pole, to your meter, to your main panel, are NOT fuse protected, and behind it is a 12kVA transformer :p
Deal Addict
Jul 24, 2003
1438 posts
77 upvotes
i live in a condo and i think the ceiling is concrete with popcorn texture. How hard would it be to install some kind of lights above?
Deal Fanatic
User avatar
Oct 19, 2008
7407 posts
2998 upvotes
Whitby
alkizmo wrote: The protection of the #6 wires is the 60A breakers in the subpanel.
Sure, the #6 can't handle 100A, but the chances of a short circuit occuring in between the line taps and the 60A fuses is almost impossible. Those wires are encased the whole time in the main panel, EMT and subpanel. And even if it did occur.. as I said, they are encased and it's not like they are #14 wires, they're #6, they can handle 60% of the 100A fuses. The 100A fuses will pop fast enough (it's not like a short will only use 100A, it will use ALL the amps).

I mean, think about it, the wires going from the electric pole, to your meter, to your main panel, are NOT fuse protected, and behind it is a 12kVA transformer :p
Must admit I was picturing this wrong, I thought you were tapping into the leads feeding your main panel....reading it again its clear on original post #2 you are planning to tap after the main breaker. I've seen people simply add another wire into the lug where main feed attaches, sorry for the confusion I added. I actually have the taps, never seen used in that application though.

Depending on the area there often are fuses at the pole.
Deal Fanatic
Mar 21, 2010
6737 posts
3998 upvotes
Toronto
EchoAngel911 wrote: i live in a condo and i think the ceiling is concrete with popcorn texture. How hard would it be to install some kind of lights above?
You mean recessed into the concrete? Pretty much impossible. Not from an electrical standpoint, just that there's pretty much no way (unless you're willing to hire engineers to fight it) the condo is going to allow you to drill into the concrete, especially to run wires and stuff. With concrete ceilings in condos, what's there is going to stay there and what's not there is never going to be there.
Deal Guru
User avatar
Oct 24, 2012
11641 posts
2620 upvotes
Montreal
Zamboni wrote: I've seen people simply add another wire into the lug where main feed attaches, sorry for the confusion I added. I actually have the taps, never seen used in that application though.
Well, adding another wire in the lug where the main feed attaches wouldn't work as it wouldn't fit and the lug isn't designed for 2 wires. I admit if there was a way to add another lug, it would be easier than cutting a section of insulation, wrenching a split bolt, then wrapping a TON of self vulcanizing rubber. This will make quite large bulbous taps, good thing there is a LOT of space in that section, because the #3 won't bend that easily! It needs to make a 90 degree turn towards the other side of the panel to get to the bus bars.

I admit that the application is quite irregular, but hey, if code allows, then why not. I love my classy fuse panel, but I need 10 more circuits.
Deal Addict
Jul 24, 2003
1438 posts
77 upvotes
is there a special type of wire i need to use for wiring range hood power? which wiring should i use?
Deal Addict
Sep 2, 2004
3138 posts
2300 upvotes
I have a two switch box in my laundry room. One switch is a 3-way controlling the laundry room light and the other is a 3-way controlling the garage light. They're side-by-side in the box, but I recently found that they are on different circuits at the panel. Is that against code?
Deal Fanatic
User avatar
Oct 19, 2008
7407 posts
2998 upvotes
Whitby
alkizmo wrote: Well, adding another wire in the lug where the main feed attaches wouldn't work as it wouldn't fit and the lug isn't designed for 2 wires. I admit if there was a way to add another lug, it would be easier than cutting a section of insulation, wrenching a split bolt, then wrapping a TON of self vulcanizing rubber. This will make quite large bulbous taps, good thing there is a LOT of space in that section, because the #3 won't bend that easily! It needs to make a 90 degree turn towards the other side of the panel to get to the bus bars. I admit that the application is quite irregular, but hey, if code allows, then why not. I love my classy fuse panel, but I need 10 more circuits.
Yep, to be clear that double lugging isn't allowed unless the recep is designed for 2 wires....seen it a lot though.

I have some large taps that are self sealing, will double check in morn on size range.
Deal Addict
Mar 28, 2008
2076 posts
902 upvotes
ON
Interesting thread OP, I wasn't going to take on this task, but I may just follow. :)
Can I contribute here?
MrFrugal1 wrote: I went to replace a GFI on an outdoor box, and discovered that the box itself had two circuits on two different breakers fed by 14/3. One circuit terminated at the GFI, while the other carried on and fed a series of internal receptacles.
I couldn't figure out why the GFI wouldn't test/reset until I realised that there was a downstream load; ( a DSL modem, of all things.) (I'm assuming that the GFI was detecting the voltage differential on the neutral side, thus causing it to stay tripped.
Do you happen to know if this Code compliant, and better still, wise?
I don't believe this one was fully answered.
While there could be a faulty GFCI in play here, to me it sounds like it's been mis-wired, I've seen it happen enough. If one circuit is just for the GFCI and ends there, while the other circuit feeds interior receptacles, the other circuit should have no effect on the GFCI. The fact that ANY load on the other circuit trips it tells me the neutral isn't wired correctly, and the GFCI is seeing an imbalance of current (not voltage). It should be wired with one hot to the GFCI, other hot spliced through to the other circuit, and the incoming neutral spliced directly to the second circuit's neutral with a tail to the GFCI. The second circuit's neutral cannot be connected to the GFCI at all (even under the same terminal).

Could be code compliant. I wonder about box fill though. If it's a standard sized box and full/standard size GFCI, it's overfilled with 5 conductors. Using a slim GFCI would remedy that. Otherwise it's fine.
Deal Guru
User avatar
Oct 24, 2012
11641 posts
2620 upvotes
Montreal
Zamboni wrote: I have some large taps that are self sealing, will double check in morn on size range.

Oh that's okay. I already have a big roll of the vulcanizing tape and too many split bolts.
Deal Addict
Mar 28, 2008
2076 posts
902 upvotes
ON
alkizmo wrote: Can rule 28-110 (2)(a) apply?
No, unless the subpanel is for motors. It says what it applies to if you go back to 28-000.

You're looking for 14-100, which is similar.

For the rest, I don't feel like getting into it now, other than agree it will look hack.
Deal Guru
User avatar
Oct 24, 2012
11641 posts
2620 upvotes
Montreal
sprdave wrote: No, unless the subpanel is for motors. It says what it applies to if you go back to 28-000.

You're looking for 14-100, which is similar.

For the rest, I don't feel like getting into it now, other than agree it will look hack.
Ah thanks Dave, I knew that I had seen a similar section to 28-110 that was truly applicable to my case a year ago but I couldn't find it anymore, so I thought I just confused what I read with the NEC.
14-100(c) is the specific one I'm following.

Yes it will look hack, but it will work and it's to code and that's the point.
I don't exactly care what the panels will look like, as long as it is neat and proper.

Top

Thread Information

There are currently 2 users viewing this thread. (0 members and 2 guests)