Quick wiring question

[earlybirds]

I will be adding 2 rows of lighting in my detached shop. Each row will have its own switch. These 2 rows will be powered from a single 15 amp breaker in the subpanel.14 gauge THHN wiring in EMT conduit. Can these 2 rows share a neutral wire back to the subpanel, or does each row need its own neutral wire back to the subpanel?

 

[Norcal]

I will be adding 2 rows of lighting in my detached shop. Each row will have its own switch. These 2 rows will be powered from a single 15 amp breaker in the subpanel.14 gauge THHN wiring in EMT conduit. Can these 2 rows share a neutral wire back to the subpanel, or does each row need its own neutral wire back to the subpanel?

Only one is required. If it was two different circuits on the same leg then two would be required, but if it were two circuits on different legs of the panel then only one would be required. Your good to go with only one, any more would be wasting wire.

 

[CJ7VFR]

Make sure to run the neutral to both switch boxes as well.

Neutrals are now required by code per the NEC to be in switch boxes, presumably so that if you change a regular switch to a fancier WIFI, smart switch or one that requires a neutral, you will be able to do that.

Jim

 

[grounded-b]

Make sure to run the neutral to both switch boxes as well.

Neutrals are now required by code per the NEC to be in switch boxes, presumably so that if you change a regular switch to a fancier WIFI, smart switch or one that requires a neutral, you will be able to do that.

Not required by the NEC if wiring method is conduit to the switch.

If needed at a later date, a grounded conductor can be pulled through the conduit.

Steve

 

[CJ7VFR]

Not required by the NEC if wiring method is conduit to the switch.

If needed at a later date, a grounded conductor can be pulled through the conduit.

Steve

I thought that was only true for homes/wiring installed before 2011 where the conduit is already in place due to the use of switch loops where the white wire is designated as a switched hot? But he might as well do it now since this is an all new setup.

Jim

 

[Norcal]

I thought that was only true for homes/wiring installed before 2011 where the conduit is already in place. But he might as well do it now if this is an all new setup.

Jim

He is correct about not being required if in conduit. If the wiring method were NM or MC cable then it would be required.

 

[CJ7VFR]

He is correct about not being required if in conduit. If the wiring method were NM or MC cable then it would be required.

Ok, gotcha! I thought it was required after the NEC said no more 2 wire switch loops, where a white wire could be designated as a switched hot.

But that would fall under the use of NM cable I would guess.

Jim