"John Moorhead" wrote in message
news
Folks -
I'm back... Now it's a wiring question. I'd like to run a string of
outlets
at benchtop height, and run two circuits. I'll put a pair of outlets in
each box, 1 on each circuit. Can I safely run 12/3 for a pair of 20 amp
circuits using a common neutral (white) and ground?

No.

The neutral is a current carrying wire in a single phase circuit. You
should run 12/3 for each circuit. I think you may be trying to be too
symmetrical and neat by putting two branch circuits in the same box. It
also crowds the box and makes connections more difficult. But I'm assuming
that you are placing outlets at some reasonable spacing for a shop (Lots of
'em).

Its only an opinion, but my philosophy is to use multiple outlets for
connectivity, as opposed to load carrying capability. My shop has three
heavily interactive walls (bench and portable tool areas). I put one branch
ciruit in each area and populated it with an embarrassingly high number of
outlets. I also ran one 220 ciruit to each area with 3 outlets each.


Bob