Can Neutrals Be Double Tapped?

Maya Lin-Takahashi
Maya Lin-Takahashi
• • 8 min read

A Double Tapped Neutral Is When More Than One Neutral Wire Neutral Wire Definitions. Ground or Earth in a Mains (Ac Power) Electrical Wiring System Is a...

Can Neutrals Be Double Tapped?

A double tapped neutral is when more than one neutral wire

neutral wire
Definitions. Ground or earth in a mains (AC power) electrical wiring system is a conductor that provides a low-impedance path to the earth to prevent hazardous voltages from appearing on equipment (high voltage spikes). ... Neutral is a circuit conductor that normally completes the circuit back to the source.
› wiki › Ground_and_neutral
is fed into a single screw (terminal) on the neutral bus bar in the main electric panel. You can see this clearly in the picture below, as there are multiple neutral wires feeding into a single screw in more than one instance in this spaghetti mess of wires.

Can neutrals and grounds be double tapped?

Usually doubling, and even tripling, of ground wires is not an issue. Never on neutrals but ok on grounds provided the panel is labeled for use in this fashion. NEC 408.21.

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Can I combine neutral wires?

Neutral wires from different circuits are NOT tied together except at the neutral buss in the panel. Neutral wires carry current. If you tie neutral wires together from different circuits then you run the risk of overloading the neutral wire, which could cause a fire.

Maya Lin-Takahashi

Maya Lin-Takahashi

Consumer Tech & Gadget Reviewer
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Maya is a hardware enthusiast who tests and reviews smart home devices, smartphones, wearables, and audio gear. She focuses on practical consumer value and build quality.