electrical question

[ronpurdy]

Hi everyone,

At work, we had some electrical work done and I wanted to know if it is OK to use a smaller neutral conductor than the hot conductor. We have a 30 amp 120 volt circuit that is wired with a 10 awg hot and a 12 awg neutral. It is a dedicated circuit for a packaging line equipment with a 21 amp max draw. Is that acceptable? They did have 5 duplex 20 amp receptacles pigtailed on to this circuit but we had them change it.

Thanks for any help!

Ron

 

[DekeT]

Don't forget the Lighting and Electrical forum.

 

[Gokart]

It depends on which NEC year the AHJ is enforcing.

 

[ronpurdy]

Thanks guys. Umm, What is an AHJ?

 

[ronpurdy]

Hi everyone,

At work, we had some electrical work done and I wanted to know if it is OK to use a smaller neutral conductor than the hot conductor. We have a 30 amp 120 volt circuit that is wired with a 10 awg hot and a 12 awg neutral. It is a dedicated circuit for a packaging line equipment with a 21 amp max draw. Is that acceptable? They did have 5 duplex 20 amp receptacles pigtailed on to this circuit but we had them change it.

Thanks for any help!

Ron

 

[ronpurdy]

I also posted this in the light and electrical forum. Thanks again.

 

[HOTFR8]

Topic moved and merged.

 

[Aceman]

No, it is not acceptable to have a #12 neutral conductor on your 30 amp circuit. You need #10. You also need a #10 ground wire, if they pulled one in the conduit.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Hi everyone,

At work, we had some electrical work done and I wanted to know if it is OK to use a smaller neutral conductor than the hot conductor. We have a 30 amp 120 volt circuit that is wired with a 10 awg hot and a 12 awg neutral. It is a dedicated circuit for a packaging line equipment with a 21 amp max draw. Is that acceptable? They did have 5 duplex 20 amp receptacles pigtailed on to this circuit but we had them change it.

Thanks for any help!

Ron

Wow talk about hack work. Whos doing the work? A licensed C-10?

If the circuit has outlets on it then its not dedicated.

And the 20a receptacles on a 30a breaker is another red flag. Good thing u had them change it...

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Thanks guys. Umm, What is an AHJ?

Authority Having Jurisdiction, in other words, the code or building inspector.

Charles

 

[Stuart in MN]

A reduced size neutral wire can be used in some circumstances with three phase circuits, but not on a single phase circuit.

 

[rburke65]

Asking.....You could not have used a #12 ground?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Asking.....You could not have used a #12 ground?

Nope!

http://www.safecoelectric.com/images/resources_pdf/NEC2008 Table 250.122.pdf

 

[Norcal]

Authority Having Jurisdiction, in other words, the code or building inspector.

Charles

The inspector is a representative of the AHJ.

 

[ronpurdy]

A reduced size neutral wire can be used in some circumstances with three phase circuits, but not on a single phase circuit.

Thanks everyone. It is a single phase circuit. They ran a 10awg neutral conductor from the receptacle and from the breaker, but its is wire-nutted to a 12awg in the middle of the circuit, between two junction boxes. There are actually two 30 amp circuits wired like this. There are the two 10awg conductors ran down from above the drop ceiling to the outlet, but connected to 12 gauge above the ceiling. It seemed strange to me, although I am not a certified electrician. I also understand that it will not be inspected. Not sure why that is.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

ThAts some hack work? Are they penny pinching or just dont wanna hire someone that knows what theyre doing?