Electrical guys a question
Ok, I think I have this figured out properly. I have been doing some wiring in my addition that require me to upgrade breakers in my panel to arc fault type. My panel is GE... so the breakers have to be too. Duh. :) Anyway, my question is, I have two 20A protected circuits that share a neutral. According to what I can find from GE, I needed to move one of the circuits in my panel so that they can be connected with a handle tie, since they were one breaker apart previously.
a) is a handle tie necessary
b) I assume moving one breaker is the right and ok thing to do if the answer to a) is yes.
Related question: one of the circuits serves a built in microwave. It has a max wattage rating of 1.65kW. If I am reading things correctly, there can be other outlets on that same circuit but only if the micro accounts for half or less of the total breaker wattage. That would mean I need a 30A arc fault breaker, since there are a couple things on the same circuit: a separate range hood, two GFCI outlets and two pendant lights. The problem is, GE does not make an arc fault protected 30A breaker. What to do (if anything)? I think the 20A is the max! Does the handle tie scenario make this basically a 40A 2 pole circuit?
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Couple of quick thoughts - those two breakers that share a neutral should always have been next to each other; not across from and not separated from. Second thought - any 30 amp breaker requires # 10 copper wire. I'm guessing the wire already there is only #12 if protected by a 20 amp breaker. If so, even if they built a 30 amp arc fault breaker it'd be a no go. I realize wiring already in the walls is a limiting factor but there's a good reason why the National Electric Code stopped allowing shared neutrals around 20 years or so ago.
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firstharmonic: 31515141069211/comments/31515149250715
Couple of quick thoughts - those two breakers that share a neutral should always have been next to each other; not across from and not separated from. Second thought - any 30 amp breaker requires # 10 copper wire. I'm guessing the wire already there is only #12 if protected by a 20 amp breaker. If so, even if they built a 30 amp arc fault breaker it'd be a no go. I realize wiring already in the walls is a limiting factor but there's a good reason why the National Electric Code stopped allowing shared neutrals around 20 years or so ago.
Thanks. I had thought so too... that they should have been next to each other. And yes, the wire is #12, so that should have been my first clue that I can't do a 30A.
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Note that the range hood has always been on the micro circuit, I just tied in two outlets and lights because it was the best available circuit for it based on location. If I have to move those, it's going to be a huge pita.
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^^^^^^This.
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Give the microwave it’s own circuit.
Air fryers, toaster ovens, insta pots, etc. are all high wattage. This ain’t your grandma’s kitchen.
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Well, it just passed inspection with the handle tie.
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