code-complianceelectrical
In California I have two separate circuits powering a single a single receptacle (such as for a dishwasher and disposal). This is not a MWBC.
Does current code require these circuits to be on shared trip breakers?
What if they are two separate receptacles in the same double gang box?
Put a divider between the two sides of the box:
Then simply label each side of the gang box as belonging to the appropriate circuit.
Note: Make sure the divider you pick will fit your gang box. I've picked up dividers that don't before.
Technically the two minimum kitchen, pantry, dining room, breakfast room, or similar area, small appliance branch circuit only applies to outlets served on the walls, counter-tops, and/or floor outlets if they are within 18" of a wall. All other appliances, with the exception of refrigerators, that are fastened in place, CANNOT be included on the two minimum small appliance circuits. They MUST be on their own appliance circuit.
Still though, you may be able to combine and share the dishwasher and disposal on one dedicated circuit if the following conditions are met.
210.23 Permissible Loads, Multiple-Outlet Branch Circuits
(A) (2) Utilization Equipment Fastened in Place. The total rating of utilization equipment fastened in place, other than luminaires, shall not exceed 50 percent of the branch-circuit ampere rating where lighting units, cord-and-plug-connected utilization equipment not fastened in place, or both, are also supplied.
430.53 Several Motors or Loads on One Branch Circuit
Two or more motors or one or more motors and other loads shall be permitted to be connected to the same branch circuit under conditions specified in 430.53( D) and in 430.53( A), (B), or (C). The branch-circuit protective device shall be fuses or inverse time circuit breakers.
(A) Not Over 1 Horsepower. Several motors, each not exceeding 1 hp in rating, shall be permitted on a nominal 120-volt branch circuit protected at not over 20 amperes or a branch circuit of 1000 volts, nominal, or less, protected at not over 15 amperes, if all of the following conditions are met:
The full-load rating of each motor does not exceed 6 amperes.
The rating of the branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protective device marked on any of the controllers is not exceeded.
Individual overload protection conforms to 430.32.
Best Answer
Yes, effectively.
Whether they are an MWBC or two separate circuits with their own neutral, same either way. The fact that they are on the same yoke requires that they have the same shutoff.
This concerns maintenance shutoff, not common trip. They don't care if they trip together from an overload, GFCI or AFCI. They care that if you plug a radio into one socket and flip breakers until the radio stops, you have de-energized the entire yoke.
You can accomplish this with listed handle ties, but since those are hard to find, we generally recommend you just use a 2-pole breaker.
However if it is wired as 2 separate circuits on 2 separate cables, and AFCI or GFCI breakers are in use, then you must use two separate breakers with a handle tie.
If, on the other hand, they are separate yokes on the same box, then there's no special requirement. The electrician is expected to check for that. When putting 2 circuits in the same box, do watch your "box fill" (cubic inches) and use a larger box if need be.