When connecting a white wire to receptacles in a multiwire branch circuit, what is required?

When connecting a white wire in a multiwire branch circuit, it is essential to make the connection correctly to ensure proper functionality and safety of the circuit. The appropriate practice is to connect the white wire, which is designated as the neutral wire, using a pigtail to the silver terminal of the receptacle.

This connection method is important because the silver terminal of a receptacle is typically designated for the neutral conductors. In a multiwire branch circuit, which consists of multiple circuits sharing a common neutral, ensuring that neutrals are correctly tied and connected helps to prevent overloading and maintains the necessary balance across phases. By using a pigtail connection, you ensure that the neutral wire has a secure and continuous path back to the panel, which is vital for proper operation.

Using a pigtail connection also allows for flexibility if the circuit configuration needs to change later, making it easier to troubleshoot and modify without disrupting the main wiring too much. This is particularly important in multiwire circuits where balancing the load across phases is critical to meeting code requirements and ensuring safety.