Multiple circuits extending to another buiding - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

farlsincharge · 04-19-2012, 11:37 PM

Hypothetically , lets say I have a detached garage 30 feet from the house and I decide that instead of putting a panel in it, I will extend multiple circuits from the house. One for lights, one for plugs, one for openers etc...

What rules if any would prevent this?
I thought there was something about two circuits maximum, but the only thing I can find is in section 6 and I don't think it applies.

arni19 · 04-20-2012, 12:44 AM

Nothing, usually a sub panel is more cost effective then running multiple smaller wires.

BBQ · 04-20-2012, 02:13 AM

Violation under the NEC so it kind of surprises me if OK under the CEC

360max · 04-20-2012, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBQ

Violation under the NEC so it kind of surprises me if OK under the CEC

2 ckt max, and must be mwbc

RDC · 04-20-2012, 02:24 AM

14-110(1). ?

BBQ · 04-20-2012, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 360max

2 ckt max, and must be mwbc

That would be one circuit even if 3 phase.

360max · 04-20-2012, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBQ

That would be one circuit even if 3 phase.

was thinking residential (1phase 208)

BBQ · 04-20-2012, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 360max

was thinking residential (1phase 208)

I hear ya and really I am splitting hairs here but a MWBC by NEC definition is one circuit that at times is allowed to considered two or three.

360max · 04-20-2012, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBQ

I hear ya and really I am splitting hairs here but a MWBC by NEC definition is one circuit that at times is allowed to considered two or three.

I automatically think residential because of the mwbc, I work industrial and commercial (never residential), and we don't use the 'shared neutral'

BBQ · 04-20-2012, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 360max

I automatically think residential because of the mwbc, I work industrial and commercial (never residential), and we don't use the 'shared neutral'

I work commercial and some industrial and we use MWBCs as often as we can.

360max · 04-20-2012, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBQ

I work commercial and some industrial and we use MWBCs as often as we can.

most of it is a specs thing in NY. I worked at the new computer chip plant, the grounding was like nothing I've ever seen in my career, ever thing grounded with wire only and I mean every thing. What are you on nites in one of the stores?

kaboler · 04-20-2012, 10:23 AM

360 you are the odd guy out. That means every wire in your buildings are carrying current. Wasteful bigtime! But if that's what they demand, what can you do.

sprdave · 04-20-2012, 06:56 PM

I was just going to ask a question like this so I'll add to here.

At a place here, Ive seen multiple circuits ran from a main panel in one building to cabins (separate buildings). A 240v 2-wire in a conduit for heaters, and a 120v 2-wire in another conduit for lights/receptacles, to each cabin. Not sure if that's legal? I thought you were usually limited to one circuit (which could be a MWBC). Doesn't seem professional either.

And is a disconnect required at each building? They were just ran directly into the receptacle or heater.

I can't seem to find anything in the code book....

farlsincharge · 04-20-2012, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sprdave

I was just going to ask a question like this so I'll add to here.

At a place here, Ive seen multiple circuits ran from a main panel in one building to cabins (separate buildings). A 240v 2-wire in a conduit for heaters, and a 120v 2-wire in another conduit for lights/receptacles, to each cabin. Not sure if that's legal? I thought you were usually limited to one circuit (which could be a MWBC). Doesn't seem professional either.

And is a disconnect required at each building? They were just ran directly into the receptacle or heater.

I can't seem to find anything in the code book....

In the past when I was but a peeon helper. We remote mounted panels for corrosive and explosive environments and ran multiple circuits from them. That seems fine in my mind but for some reason it seems different if there is no reason why a panel could not exist in the structure.

The cabin thing is exactly what I am planning to do. There is a 120 year old cabin at a resort in which there is no place to put a panel. I want to put a weatherproof service behind it and feed two circuits from there.

xlink · 04-20-2012, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farlsincharge

There is a 120 year old cabin at a resort in which there is no place to put a panel. I want to put a weatherproof service behind it and feed two circuits from there.

Not in 09 but in 2012 you can: 6-206(3). I think the inspectors will let you use 2012 if the entire installation complies with the 2012 code.