On Fri, 03 Dec 2004 16:56:53 +0000, John Moorhead wrote:

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? I'd run the
red wire (marked black) to one outlet and the black to the other. The two
outlets would share the white wire, along with the grounds.

At the panel, I'd have the red (marked black) wire going to one CB and the
black one to a separate CB. If I can do this, I'd have to string way less
NM... Would this be a violation of code? Is this safe?

I know, I know... call an electrician or an EE... I'm just trying to get
a little help here....

The answer is "yes". Run 12-3 with ground as you said, but use a ganged
breaker since if you need to work inside any box, you want both circuits
shut off. This is exactly what the electrician did for my gar^H^H^Hshop.
All the left hand duplex outlets in each double box are on one circuit,
and all the right handers on the other. The 'trician used surface mount
boxes and conduit with individual wires rather than romex on mine and ran
a seperate ground even though the conduit can be used for ground. I also
had him run 2 240V circuits through another single conduit with every
other box containing a single 240V outlet and alternating between circuits.

Make sure you have the bottoms of the outlets at least 40" above the floor
so you can put standard 36" high benches under.

-Doug