• Welcome to The Building Code Forum

    Your premier resource for building code knowledge.

    This forum remains free to the public thanks to the generous support of our Sawhorse Members and Corporate Sponsors. Their contributions help keep this community thriving and accessible.

    Want enhanced access to expert discussions and exclusive features? Learn more about the benefits here.

    Ready to upgrade? Log in and upgrade now.

The Meaning of 2023 NEC 300.13(B) Multiwire Branch Circuits

jar546

CBO
Joined
Oct 16, 2009
Messages
12,941
Location
Not where I really want to be
(B) Device Removal.
In multiwire branch circuits, the continuity of a grounded conductor shall not depend on device connections such as lampholders, receptacles, and so forth where the removal of such devices would interrupt the continuity.

So what does that mean?

Grounded conductors (neutrals) of multiwire branch circuits supplying receptacles, lampholders, or other devices are not permitted to depend on terminal connections for continuity between devices. For multiwire installations, a splice can be made with a jumper connected to the terminal or the neutral can be looped. This allows a receptacle or device to be replaced without interrupting the continuity of energized downstream line-to-neutral loads. Opening the neutral could cause unbalanced voltages, and a considerably higher voltage would be impressed on one part of a multiwire branch circuit, especially if the downstream line-to-neutral loads were appreciably unbalanced.

In other words, these devices must be pigtailed and for a receptacle for example, you can't use all 4 terminals of a receptacle and feed through it.
 
Back
Top