I have a two bedroom cape with 14-3 running to the second floor where it splits. I noticed at the panel some time much later that the two 15 amp breakers that power up the individual rooms, are separated by a 20 amp breaker that feeds a designated circuit. The 14-3 neutral is carrying the return load of both 15 amp circuits from the same leg.
The electrician was qualified and licensed. Shouldn't he have moved the two 15 amp circuit breakers together so that they would be pulling from separate legs? I am trying to better understand this.
Best Answer
Absolutely right, this is super bad for exactly the reason you say! Turn off both circuits and get yourself a 2-pole breaker of that same type. Put the two hots on that breaker and install it, moving other breakers as needed.
The use of a 2-pole breaker will guarantee they are correctly on opposite poles, and is now required by Code. (well, handle ties are, but it works out the same. 30 places near hear stock 2-pole breakers, only 1 stocks handle ties.)
Be careful not to split up another multi-wire branch circuit. In fact, watch for more - where there's one, there's five.
Also, make sure you're not dealing with double-stuff or the GE Q-line "half width breakers". In a Q-line, an intermediate breaker would be correct, but a 2-pole breaker would be a great deal more correct.