wiring an outlet ( switched )

[The Cobbler]

got a question , at the volunteer warehouse in a storage room is a receptacle that is switched at the breaker panel , it's on a separate circuit. at one time we used it for the radio , to turn it on & off. . We have since had an outlet wired to the main lights that we use so it comes on with the main lights and this outlet is no longer used.
the feed comes thru a conduit along the wall, including another circuit feeding 4 outlets along the way, 1 outlet on that circuit is in the storage closet .
I want to put a small compressor in there to run our carton stapler , and have it on a timer so it doesn't get left on inadvertently . I've already installed the spring wound timer rated for 1HP motor load .
the outlet that is not switched is better located to run the compressor, and the switched outlet is up high on the wall & not very accessible as it was meant for the radio on a top shelf. . I was going to switch them around, but then I got wondering about splitting the outlet that is currently not switched , so one side hot all the time & one side is switched .

is it OK to break the tab on the outlet & wire 1 side switched, and the other side, on another circuit constant hot. the breakers are not tied at the panel so I assume I would need to change that to a tied breaker?
or, should I just move the switched circuit over to the other breaker and then that breaker in the panel would be spare .
the circuit seldom gets used, and rarely for a heavy load. about all that gets plugged in is the pallet jack for the weigh scale battery charger
the outlet that is currently switched could be deleted, or wired hot all the time, or switched . it doesn't matter at this point
Thanks all

 

[nadogail]

Half hot outlets have been wired that way for years.

 

[mike93lx]

Switching half a receptacle is standard, but having it fed from two different circuits is not.

Yes, handle tie on the two breakers and cut the tab

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I would just feed from same breaker to make it less complicated

 

[rlitman]

is it OK to break the tab on the outlet & wire 1 side switched, and the other side, on another circuit constant hot. the breakers are not tied at the panel so I assume I would need to change that to a tied breaker?

With two circuits, you either need adjacent circuits to use a common neutral to make an MWBC, or separate neutrals and break both tabs. Are there any GFCI's upstream? These don't like common neutrals.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

With two circuits, you either need adjacent circuits to use a common neutral to make an MWBC, or separate neutrals and break both tabs. Are there any GFCI's upstream? These don't like common neutrals.

Are you saying that MWBC, with one GFCI each on each hot leg, and a common neutral going to each downstream outlet, would have issues? Asking because that is what I am doing in my garage - Haven't connected the wires yet, just got done doing the emt conduit and boxes today.

 

[mike93lx]

Are you saying that MWBC, with one GFCI each on each hot leg, and a common neutral going to each downstream outlet, would have issues? Asking because that is what I am doing in my garage - Haven't connected the wires yet, just got done doing the emt conduit and boxes today.

You can't have shared neutrals after two gfci's. Need to keep a separate netrual for each

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Are you saying that MWBC, with one GFCI each on each hot leg, and a common neutral going to each downstream outlet, would have issues? Asking because that is what I am doing in my garage - Haven't connected the wires yet, just got done doing the emt conduit and boxes today.

yes. a shared neutral on the load side of 2 GFCIs will cause the GFCIs to trip

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

You can't have shared neutrals after two gfci's. Need to keep a separate netrual for each

yes. a shared neutral on the load side of 2 GFCIs will cause the GFCIs to trip

Thanks. I will run another neutral in the conduit. Good thing I have run not any wire yet.

 

[The Cobbler]

Are you saying that MWBC, with one GFCI each on each hot leg, and a common neutral going to each downstream outlet, would have issues? Asking because that is what I am doing in my garage - Haven't connected the wires yet, just got done doing the emt conduit and boxes today.

it's 2 circuits, on a shared neutral .
I think I have a plan as below , thanks all

I would just feed from same breaker to make it less complicated

 

[rlitman]

Are you saying that MWBC, with one GFCI each on each hot leg, and a common neutral going to each downstream outlet, would have issues? Asking because that is what I am doing in my garage - Haven't connected the wires yet, just got done doing the emt conduit and boxes today.

To be overly clear, the MWBC shares the neutral on the LINE side of the GFCI, but neutrals cannot be shared on the LOAD site.

I can see scenarios where you could tap the line side of the GFCI and keep the shared neutral, but that portion of the circuit wouldn't have its own GFCI protection.

 

[75gmck25]

Since this is a place where you don't know who will work on the electrical the next time around, find a way to mark that receptacle and make it clear that it's split, and fed from two breakers.

I have a double light switch in my house that has two switches that are connected to two different circuits. Very confusing when you shut off the breaker for one and the light goes out, but the other stays on. At least was lucky and I touched the terminals and felt the tingle of electricity before started using a screwdriver and got a really good shock.