Basic Wiring?

I ran a 3-12 wire into the breaker box; I grounded the white wire and the "bare" copper wire and connected the red and black to their individual 15 amp breaker switches (I know I don�t need 12 guage on 15 amp but I have a large supply 12 guage wire). Flipped the switches and one works fine but the other (red) blows when flipped.

Thinking I had a problem down stream I pulled the covers off all my junction boxes, outlets and light switches but found nothing obvious.

My next step was to unhook the red wire at the first junction box down stream from the breaker panel thinking I would look for it by steps � capped it with the connector but the breaker switch blew when flipped. I thought I had a bad breaker switch so I replace the original with another it blew again upon being switched. Any idea whats up?

I`m going way back in my memory but I seem to recall that to keep line loss at or below 2% in a circuit, the circuit must be no more 70 feet long. Alot of "home run" circuits in the modern large houses being built are at or very near this distance so a larger conductor is used in the run to the breaker.

And the aggravating thing is you never seem to have a big, long sock full of horse manure to smack them with when they really, really deserve it.

All the best, Stan

One hot with a common ground/neutral will supply some of the outlets in the basement the second hot and common neutral/ground will supply power other outlets.

I am using a 3-12 wire because I'm running out of room to snake the wires into the breaker box.

Could you explain "L16"

There are no staples "through" the wire. All electrical staples (plastic 1/2 inch with two nails) are definately properly installed.

When you say "Common ground & neutral"? This cable does have a bare, insulated white, insulated black and an insulated red?

Yes.

Is there any place at all where the white and bare are connected together?

No.

That's possible (used a cordless drill) at the junction box - no clamp at the breaker box.

That might make the pro's cringe a bit. I'll attach the boxes to the wall with a drill, but a much better feel for things if you use a real screwdriver with an elbow-power for the wires themselves. Kinda easy to spin things over with a drill & not even know it.

--->Paul

Post your findings when you get this solved, would you? I'm always interested in this kind of mystery.

All the best, Stan

I take it you have 12/3 with ground (total 4 conductors) from your post correct?????

White wires to panels Neutral Buss Bare grounding conductor wires to panels Equipment Ground Buss Red and Black hot phase conductors to breakers

If she dont trip with the red wire removed from the breaker, theres must be a short instead of a breaker problem..... ..... .

Using that 12/3 with ground having red and black phase conductors sounds like you may be running whats called a multi wire branch circuit
CAUTION !!!!! !!!!! !!!!! !!!!! ! if youre doing that, the breakers should be tied (or use a 2 pole circuit breaker) so if one hot leg trips out the other leg is also de energized. Someone could throw the one breaker (say the black) and go into a junction or outlet box thinkig the breaker was offfff fff buttttt ttttt that other red wire IS STILLLLL HOTTTTT TTTTT T

Ive designed and specified multi wire branch circuits (2 hots using a common single neutral) which can save copper from running two neutrals buttttt tttt the breakers were tied or I used a 2 pole breaker buttttt tt Im NOT a fan of them for safety considerations plus they arent suitable for inductive loads like transformers or power supplies or light ballast circuits and would advise one to avoid them unless they use all design and wiring safety precautions.

If thats (multiwire) not what you meant disregard all this excepot for finding that short

John T, Long retired and NEC rusty Electrical Engineer

This is what I've done. I wasn't hoping to save on copper so much as its a real B**** to snake the wires into the breaker box. I was hoping to run my basement outlets on two circuts (the one causing all the questions), lights on a third and a bathroom on its own GFI circuit.

Have I screwed up by not using a two pole circut breaker in his application?

Charles

Charles

best wishes n proceed with care John T

Charles

John T Long retired electrical engineer but still safety conscious

At this stage there are no connections down the line - I unhooked the red wire at the first junction box (about 14 feet from the breaker box) and capped it (left the common ground hooked up)- that�s why I thought I had a bad breaker.

I will start with disconnecting the wire from the breaker and checking the breaker in the box - if it shows a short there how lucky am I that haven't electrocuted myself?