Last weekend I turned off 1 breaker to a bedroom outlet to replace the outlet. I got shocked by the neutral wire during the replacement, so checked further and found the neutral had voltage, which was surprising since I turned off the breaker. I ended up turning off all breakers in the panel to finish up and then researched reasons that a neutral could be hot, and learned about shared neutrals in older homes (my house is from 1966)
@@hammerridecycling7630 - shared neutral, also called a "multiwire branch circuit" in the NEC handbook, is not a "problem", it was simply the way many residential electricians wired homes in past decades, and how commercial and especially large offices are still wired today. In older residential homes it's especially common to wire the top and bottom of stair lights in this manner in the 3-way light switch. I suppose you could say there is a possible safety problem of getting shocked by the neutral if you only turn off one of the two shared circuits. The solution is to physically connect the handles of both breakers in the electrical panel to force both breakers to be turned off or on simultaneously. If you examine your breaker box, you will also note that the two breakers are on opposite polarities. This has the nice side effect of the neutral wire carrying close to zero current when both hot wires are pulling equal loads, even if both circuits are at maximum capacity. In my case the two breakers were next to each other but the handles were not physically connected. I turned off one breaker and did electrical work and got shocked by the neutral wire. I now turn off both breakers and therefore cannot be shocked again. I don't know if I can buy a double breaker with tied handles for older Zinsco panels, but it's been on my mind to just replace my old Zinsco panel with a modern panel and then of course I'd use a double breaker with tied handles at that spot.
Checking wires with a voltage stick is always a good idea before working in circuit even ones that are thought to be off, get them in any place selling basic electric tools for about $15, stay safe.
@@francoisloriot2674Correct, the 240 is split, But still only one (1) phase of the three (3) phases that are available/provided from the power company. Repeating, only one phase either A, B, or C. Look at the top of your neighborhood step down transformer. One conductor coming into the top?
@@tedlahm5740 ok yes they both coming from one single phase from the power company, but after the split they are shifted 180 deg right? so calling them phases makes sense at least to me. How would you call these otherwise?
They are not shifted 180°. The windings are the same direction from end to end. If the directions were reversed at the mid point, you would have 0v from end to end instead of 240v. The different phases refer to the measurement at the split phase point which is the center tap and the neutral origin.
Simple answer to a question I had. Thanks a million.
Just exactly the information I needed. Now I must change out a couple breakers.👍
Last weekend I turned off 1 breaker to a bedroom outlet to replace the outlet. I got shocked by the neutral wire during the replacement, so checked further and found the neutral had voltage, which was surprising since I turned off the breaker. I ended up turning off all breakers in the panel to finish up and then researched reasons that a neutral could be hot, and learned about shared neutrals in older homes (my house is from 1966)
so how did you fix it?did you wire it into 2 hots in one outlet?i have the same issue😢
@@hammerridecycling7630 - shared neutral, also called a "multiwire branch circuit" in the NEC handbook, is not a "problem", it was simply the way many residential electricians wired homes in past decades, and how commercial and especially large offices are still wired today. In older residential homes it's especially common to wire the top and bottom of stair lights in this manner in the 3-way light switch. I suppose you could say there is a possible safety problem of getting shocked by the neutral if you only turn off one of the two shared circuits. The solution is to physically connect the handles of both breakers in the electrical panel to force both breakers to be turned off or on simultaneously. If you examine your breaker box, you will also note that the two breakers are on opposite polarities. This has the nice side effect of the neutral wire carrying close to zero current when both hot wires are pulling equal loads, even if both circuits are at maximum capacity. In my case the two breakers were next to each other but the handles were not physically connected. I turned off one breaker and did electrical work and got shocked by the neutral wire. I now turn off both breakers and therefore cannot be shocked again. I don't know if I can buy a double breaker with tied handles for older Zinsco panels, but it's been on my mind to just replace my old Zinsco panel with a modern panel and then of course I'd use a double breaker with tied handles at that spot.
Checking wires with a voltage stick is always a good idea before working in circuit even ones that are thought to be off, get them in any place selling basic electric tools for about $15, stay safe.
Thank you 90% of the videos do not mention this. QUESTION : is there a code on sharing Neutrals if yes what chapter etc....
A shared neutral is still accepted and used regularly. You would have to check your code book to answer code questions.
Three phase all day long....
I never share neutrals to the leg with other circuits! It causes E field in your home wiring
That's is correct but was only required per nec since the 2008 code .
Yes. i can remember back in the early 1980,s how this was done all the time. and passed elec inspections then.
Unbelievable that this was allowed for so long. Common trip.
Thanks for that
00168 Devyn Island
looks like a few switches up need a common trip also right?
where do you get that bar to join the switches?
That panel is a single phase
Yes like most residential homes, what’s ur point
I'm not electrician but residential in North America is two phases after the transformer. the 240 v is split at the middle. right?
@@francoisloriot2674Correct, the 240 is split, But still only one (1) phase of the three (3) phases that are available/provided from the power company. Repeating, only one phase either A, B, or C.
Look at the top of your neighborhood step down transformer. One conductor coming into the top?
@@tedlahm5740 ok yes they both coming from one single phase from the power company, but after the split they are shifted 180 deg right? so calling them phases makes sense at least to me. How would you call these otherwise?
They are not shifted 180°. The windings are the same direction from end to end. If the directions were reversed at the mid point, you would have 0v from end to end instead of 240v. The different phases refer to the measurement at the split phase point which is the center tap and the neutral origin.
There's only one phase in that panel.
It’s split/single phase