This section describes the Circuit to Phase button on the Circuiting dialog box. The Circuit to Phase button connects devices on the drawing to a specific phase of a circuit on a distribution equipment. There are two common uses for this button:
| • | Shared Neutrals on Multiwire Branch Circuits: NEC 2008 210.4b requires multiwire branch circuits that share a neutral to have the breakers all trip at the same time. Using this button, you can connect single-pole devices to a specific phase of a two-pole or three-pole circuit. All of the devices on the circuit will share a common neutral and have a common trip. |
| • | 208V and 480V Site Lighting on Three-Phase Circuits: It is common to connect two-pole site lights to three-pole circuits, rotating the phases that are connected to keep the load balanced. Using this button, you can connect two-pole light fixtures to specific phases of a three-pole circuit. |
When you press the button, the Circuiting dialog box will close. The circuit that was selected in the Circuit List starts as the current circuit. The current circuit can be changed during the command by incrementing the circuit, explained below.
The Select Circuit Phase dialog box will appear. You are prompted to select the phase of the circuit to which devices will be connected.
After you select the phase, you will be prompted to select the devices to be circuited. The current circuit, the load connected to the circuit, the size of the breaker on the circuit, and the starting phase of the circuit are all listed on the command line.
Select devices to be circuited:
Current Circuit: <Circuit> Connected KVA: <Load> Breaker Amps: <Breaker Size> Phase: <Phase Letter>
Press ENTER for circuiting options, twice to return to circuiting dialog.
Select device: Select the devices to be connected to the selected phase on the current circuit. The devices will be connected if the voltage matches the circuit.
A circuit label listing the panel and circuit number will be inserted next to the selected devices. The circuit label will be updated or removed when the homerun and loops are drawn for the circuit.
If you select a device with multiple loads, you will be prompted to specify which loads you want to connect to the current circuit.
If the circuit is a space and the device has more poles than the circuit, the software will attempt to join together circuits below the current circuit to make a circuit large enough for the device. If the circuits below are not spaces, they cannot be joined with the current circuit. The device will not be connected to the current circuit.
If the device has fewer poles than the circuit, the device is connected to the selected phase on the current circuit. The number of poles on the circuit is not changed.
Circuiting options: Press ENTER once to change the current phase or circuit.
[Set phase/Increment circuit/<Return to circuiting dialog>]:
Set phase: Type S to select a new phase using the Select Circuit Phase dialog box, shown above.
Increment circuit: Type I to increment to the next circuit. On panels, the next circuit will be on the same side of the panel as the current circuit. The increment function will not move between the odd and even sides of the panel.
Return to circuiting dialog: Press ENTER a second time or type R to return to the Circuiting dialog box.