In a multiwire branch circuit, all conductors must originate from the same what?

In a multiwire branch circuit, all conductors must originate from the same panelboard. This is critical for maintaining the proper functionality and safety of the circuit. A multiwire branch circuit typically consists of two or more hot conductors sharing a common neutral conductor. When these conductors are fed from the same panelboard, it ensures that the phases or legs of the circuit can operate correctly and that the circuit is balanced.

Using conductors from different panelboards, or other distribution points like transformers or subpanels, can introduce complications such as overloading the neutral conductor or creating imbalances in the electrical system. Safety codes and practices are designed to minimize risks associated with these situations, thereby underscoring the importance of the source being the same panelboard in a multiwire branch circuit configuration.