"John G" wrote in message
...
I've got a new microwave that requires bringing another 20A circuit to
the
kitchen. I have a Leviton 20A outlet (model J-2651) that I want to
"duplex"
so that 40 amps comes to the box from two different 12/2 w/G cables from
two
different breakers (20A upper/20A lower outlet).

I see a thin strip of metal which I believe is called the bridging tab
with
a narrow gap running between the two outlets. I assume is what I need
to
cut to bring one circuit to the lower outlet and another to the upper
outlet.

The question is how best to cut it. Dremel? Remove the plate from the
outlet and use wire cutters? Needle-nosed pliers?

I also assume I need to check afterwards with an ohmmeter to insure
cutting
the tabs really did isolate the outlets from each other.

I've also read for safety reasons the two circuits should be fed from a
tandem breaker so both circuits are de-energized when shut off or
tripped.
That sounds right. Is it? Does the outlet need to marked to indicate
the
dual-circuit feed?

One site I looked at said not to disconnect the neutral bridging tab,
only
the hot side? Right or wrong or makes no difference? My inclination is
that
it has too be cut, too.

I recall reading a dual-feed 40A outlet is standard technique in Canada
but
is it legal in the US?

Is it just best to bite the bullet and gouge out another hole in the
plaster
to install a completely separate outlet? frown

SH

The tabs break off very easily. You can cut them off or use needle nose
pliers to bend them forth and back.

You will need to use a two pole circuit breaker for this set up so that
both sides of the outlet are de-engerized for servicing.

John Grabowski
http://www.MrElectrician.TV

Thanks! One side of the bridge tab seems a lot easier to bend out than the
other but if I muck it up I've got another.

Am I correct in assuming with a tandem breaker if one circuit pops, the
other is shut off even though it's still OK? Does a tandem breaker show
which circuit had the fault?

I'm beginning to see some advantages in bringing out the Sawzall and all the
rest of the tools it takes to add a new outlet to very old plaster-lathe
construction. double frown

SH