...........

The heat that trips the breaker can be absorbed by the other wire long enough to start a fire down the line.And you mean Tapped right?

1. The breaker is not designed for more than one wire, unless it is one by Square D and I think that Cutler Hammer makes one as well. They are not all that common, but you will see them from time to time.
2. The connections can never be made tight with two wires. One will always be looser.
3. Loose wire will arc and or overheat.
4. A fire will start and the house will burn down.
5. You will be named in the lawsuit and you will also be named in a subrogation lawsuit by the insurance company.

Off the top of my head I can't think of much more at this time!

__________________
Scott Patterson
Spring Hill, TN
http://www.traceinspections.com

Let's not be hasty ....

There are a number of breakers out there that are listed for having two wires attached to the one lug.

If such a breaker is used, it is perfectly OK to have two wires going to that breaker.

If it is not such a breaker, you do have a code violation. The risk is from a fear that one, or more, of the wires will be loose, leading to heat issues. There is also the fear that the multiple wires will take up more space than the clamp is intended to open ... again, leading to a loose connection.

The same principle applies to any wiring connection, even wire nuts. If you connect the wrong wires, or too many wires, the connection may not be reliable.

Please note that I say "may." The fact that something is not listed for more than one wire does not mean a good connection is not possible; it may simply mean that the manufacturer never asked UL to evaluate it for more than one wire. The difference is moot; you still have a code violation.

There are some breakers that are doubled up in the space of one breaker, that is,for example two 15 amp w connectors but thinner in the footprint of one 15 amp breaker. I'm sure lots of you have seen them. Why not use one of them, presuming they are available for the brand of panel box.
Unless someone has had or has heard of bad experiences?

Just a thought
Joe

OK - just a quick question to confirm my understanding about which breakers can accept two wires...

IF the Square D breaker shows ONLY a single wire icon or image on the side of it, then it is designed to accept only a single wire correct?

Thanks in advance for your words of wisdom - I tried searching for a picture that shows the difference, but I may have imagined such a photograph.

Best regards and inspect safely - jdj

John, could you please provide us with a list of the "number of available breakers" beyond the two most of are already aware of.

Issue: The coefficient of friction of two wires, drawing different amperage produces the effect of expanding at two different rates. Thus back to the original issue with aluminum branch wiring and the ability to loosen the connection, provide arcing, provide heat, provide fire,...etc. Engineer fix: 1 wire = 1 breaker. AL branch wiring = AL rated equipment.

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