In article , "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?

It is perfectly safe, and does not violate code, as long as:
a) the two hot conductors are on opposite legs of a 240V service, *and*
b) a *single* disconnecting means will disconnect *both* of them at once.
Both of these criteria are easily satisfied by using a standard two-pole
breaker: the two sides are necessarily on opposite legs, and one handle
disconnects them both at once.

It's not necessary to mark the red wire black, as red wires are assumed to be
hot anyway. The conductor color requirements in the code are pretty simple:
Ground: bare, green, or green with a yellow tracer
Neutral: white or gray
Hot: Anything else.

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

You're fine.

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek-at-milmac-dot-com)

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