Split Circuit Outlet
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Split circuit outlets have been used in kitchen counter
areas for use with small appliances. Codes have evolved over the years
and there is some variations on codes between Canada and the United
States or even between jurisdictional locations. Since I am not working
in the field I want to be able to provide information about split
circuits but yet refer you to our expects I have lined up in our forums
for verification and specific requirements where you live.
My house was built in 1995 (in Canada) and I have split
circuit outlets in the kitchen counter area and not GFI protected,
having said that there has been a number of changes to the rules in
regards to outlets within close distance to sinks above counter tops.
In the above picture there are two separate
ungrounded conductors (hot)
on a dual breaker coming to the outlet, ( the black and red wires), the
single grounded conductor (neutral) gets connected at the panel to the
neutral bus, there is also a equipment grounding conductor (bare wire)
that gets connected to a grounding bus at the panel and to the outlet
electrical box (if metallic) and to the grounding screw of outlet as
well as any onward cables.
A split circuit is connected to a dual breaker at the panel, it is
bridged so that is one circuit trips both circuits trip, at the outlet
(or outlets) the joining tab between the brass color screws is broke off
and the top half and bottom half of the outlet is on a separate circuit
however a single grounded conductor (neutral) is used for the return.
The two ungrounded conductors (hot) from separate circuits is connected
to the brass color screws of outlet. Recent code revisions are now
requiring circuits over the counter top near the sink to also have GFCI
protection. Now that creates a problem with split circuits that to
date I have never seen a split circuit GFI outlet. I have also
read that there some variations on the type of outlet including some stating that the NEC
allows to pass through 20 amps on a 15 amp outlet. Personally I
prefer never to have anything that has been rated for 15 amps carry 20
amps.
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Specific 20 amp
outlets do come as a T shape as shown in the picture to
the left. |
From one of our experts on our forums, this is the
Ontario Canada Kitchen codes summary...
Ontario Canada Kitchen codes summary...
Receptacles within 1.5m of sink need to be GFCI.
Kitchen counter circuits have two options...
1. split wired 15 amp.
2. 20 amp with T slot receptacle
GFCI option for those circuits...
1. Use double pole GFCI breaker on the 15 amp split- expensive.
2. Use 20 amp T slot GFCI receptacles.
The 20 amp T slot option was introduced in 2002 to get around the split
receptacle issue with GFCIs. |
I would strongly recommend that if you are wiring new
kitchen outlets to take advantage of the expertise on our forums as we
have moderators from both the United States and Canada on there, please
be sure when seeking advice that you indicate the general area in which
you live such as in the state of New York United States or live in the
province of Ontario in Canada.
Written: March 11, 2012
Revised: June 30, 2013
Proof Read / Released: July 10, 2013
By: Donald Kerr
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