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If you're using a GFCI breaker then the entire circuit will be protected by just the breaker alone. Every receptacle, switch, etc on that breaker will utilise the GFCI protection. You may have problems with it tripping if you plug in a motor (vacuum, etc) on the circuit.

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Q: Do both the breakers and the outlets need to be GFI if you are running two 15 amp GFI circuits?
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When the test button is pressed on a gfci outlet it sparks and trips two breakers in the main panel What could be the problem?

The test button should only trip the GFCI. The fact that it is tripping two breakers indicates that somehow both breakers are feeding your GFCI circuit. I have seen this when there was a wiring error and two circuits were joined in an outlet that was connected to a breaker and through the GFCI outlet. To troubleshoot determine which outlets are effected when both breakers are off. Pull outlet from box and if there are two feeds remove one from outlet and run a toner on wire left on outlet to panel and one off outlet to panel. The GFCI could block the toner so if one side of the outlet does not tone back to panel check at GFCI. There must be two paths to your electric panel for the two breakers to trip and the GFCI may be faulty as well. Another way to check is to have the GFCI reset and both breakers on. Check each outlet that you have identified as being on GFCI noting that they can be in different rooms. With all outlets working turn off one of the tripped breakers. See if any outlets so off. If not turn off the other breaker and turn on the first breaker. If power is still present then the outlets are being fed by both breakers.


What is an electric shared neutral?

An electric shared neutral is the white or negative wire that is shared between two electrical circuits on a basic single phase system. Most electrical devices use 120 volts and require a "hot" wire and a neutral wire to operate. Some larger devices use 240 volts and require two "hot" wires to operate. Two circuit breakers in an electrical panel can share one neutral wire as long as the breakers are not on the same "leg" of power. When looking at an electrical panel there are usually two "legs" of power feeding all the breakers, each leg has 120 Volts to ground, if the "legs" are combined you will have 240 Volts. A neutral wire can be shared by two circuits as long as the breakers are on separate "legs". If someone needed to add two circuits in their home, the could run what is called a 3-wire romex, It has a black wire, a red wire, a white wire and a ground wire. The white wire is the neutral for both the black and red 120 volt circuits, and the breakers for the new circuits would need to be on separate "legs" in the panel.


Why do two separate breakers control the same outlets?

The only time 2 beakers are run to one outlet is if the outlet is 240V. The breakers should have handle-ties connected to them to ensure that both breakers trip in the event of an overload. Nope its not 240 either,cause it continues to other outlets the same way.and can plug 110 accesories into them. I have come accross this everywhere. In rooms without a ceiling light, one half of a duplex receptacle is a switched lighting circuit and the other is a always on receptacle.


Can you use 12 3 w gnd wire for two different 20 amp circuits using the single white wire in the bundle Is this good practice and is it safe?

Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.This is very common in commercial and industrial installations. You must be sure that your two breakers are fed from different phases or legs of your electrical service. Having both circuits fed from the same phase or leg might cause the neutral to melt and cause a fire without tripping any breakers.As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.Before you do any work yourself,on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.


What are 2 protective devices used to open a circuit?

The GSR plug is the newest device to perform this function. It becomes a mini circuit breaker for the circuit and is critical for high risk areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.The basic circuit breaker is another device. It opens the circuit when the amperage exceeds the rating of the breaker. It is a device that can be reset.The electrical fuse is the eldest of the devices. The disadvantage is that it must be replaced when the circuit is opened by overload.Circuit breakers and their cheap alternative, fuses, are used to disconnect the power if an excessive current flows.

Related questions

Where are both parallel and series circuits used?

there are both used in some electronics eg circuit breakers,ring main unit,circuit board.


When the test button is pressed on a gfci outlet it sparks and trips two breakers in the main panel What could be the problem?

The test button should only trip the GFCI. The fact that it is tripping two breakers indicates that somehow both breakers are feeding your GFCI circuit. I have seen this when there was a wiring error and two circuits were joined in an outlet that was connected to a breaker and through the GFCI outlet. To troubleshoot determine which outlets are effected when both breakers are off. Pull outlet from box and if there are two feeds remove one from outlet and run a toner on wire left on outlet to panel and one off outlet to panel. The GFCI could block the toner so if one side of the outlet does not tone back to panel check at GFCI. There must be two paths to your electric panel for the two breakers to trip and the GFCI may be faulty as well. Another way to check is to have the GFCI reset and both breakers on. Check each outlet that you have identified as being on GFCI noting that they can be in different rooms. With all outlets working turn off one of the tripped breakers. See if any outlets so off. If not turn off the other breaker and turn on the first breaker. If power is still present then the outlets are being fed by both breakers.


Where can I purcahse the highest quality, lightweight running shoes?

It may be a little subjective in terms of what is meant by lightweight, but you can most likely find what you are looking for through most shoe outlets like Addidas or Nike. Both these outlets will have a complete line of running shoes for all people.


Is it a good idea to run two 20 amp circuits on their own 20 amp breakers but using only one 12 3 w gnd romex cable Only one white wire would be available for two different circuits?

Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.This is very common in commercial and industrial installations. You must be sure that your two breakers are fed from different phases or legs of your electrical service. Having both circuits fed from the same phase or leg might cause the neutral to melt and cause a fire without tripping any breakers.As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.Before you do any work yourself,on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.


What is an electric shared neutral?

An electric shared neutral is the white or negative wire that is shared between two electrical circuits on a basic single phase system. Most electrical devices use 120 volts and require a "hot" wire and a neutral wire to operate. Some larger devices use 240 volts and require two "hot" wires to operate. Two circuit breakers in an electrical panel can share one neutral wire as long as the breakers are not on the same "leg" of power. When looking at an electrical panel there are usually two "legs" of power feeding all the breakers, each leg has 120 Volts to ground, if the "legs" are combined you will have 240 Volts. A neutral wire can be shared by two circuits as long as the breakers are on separate "legs". If someone needed to add two circuits in their home, the could run what is called a 3-wire romex, It has a black wire, a red wire, a white wire and a ground wire. The white wire is the neutral for both the black and red 120 volt circuits, and the breakers for the new circuits would need to be on separate "legs" in the panel.


Is it possible to operate two 1300 W hairdryers on a 120 V circuit without blowing a fuse?

1300 watts on a 120 volt circuit is 10.8 amps. Since most circuits are built with 15 or 20 amp breakers, no. Rdrsh is correct. If both outlets you plan on using are on the same circuit and you have nothing else on, you might be able to run both at the same time for a short period of time if it is a 20 amp circuit. If it is a 15 amp circuit, no way will it work. However if you have a couple of 100 watt lights on then you will have a total of over 20 amps draw and it will trip the breaker. You need to have these of separate circuits.


Why do two separate breakers control the same outlets?

The only time 2 beakers are run to one outlet is if the outlet is 240V. The breakers should have handle-ties connected to them to ensure that both breakers trip in the event of an overload. Nope its not 240 either,cause it continues to other outlets the same way.and can plug 110 accesories into them. I have come accross this everywhere. In rooms without a ceiling light, one half of a duplex receptacle is a switched lighting circuit and the other is a always on receptacle.


Can you use 12 3 w gnd wire for two different 20 amp circuits using the single white wire in the bundle Is this good practice and is it safe?

Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.This is very common in commercial and industrial installations. You must be sure that your two breakers are fed from different phases or legs of your electrical service. Having both circuits fed from the same phase or leg might cause the neutral to melt and cause a fire without tripping any breakers.As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.Before you do any work yourself,on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.


Can resistors function the same in AC circuits as in DC circuits?

Yes, they both can add a load to a circuit.


What do combination circuit use?

Compound or combination circuits combine aspects of both parallel and series circuits.


Where can I purchase running footwear on clearance?

Many footwear websites will have a section for clearance sales. Finishline.com and Nike.com both have clearance pages on their websites. Also, outlets like Roadrunnersports.com will offer clearance sales.


How are series circuits and parellel circuits alike?

Both take current and energy from the power supply and dissipate power.