Split phase Ground and neutral

in split-phase wiring, example duplex receptacle in north american kitchen, devices may connected cable has 3 conductors, in addition ground. 3 conductors coloured red, black, , white. white serves common neutral, while red , black each feed, separately, top , bottom hot sides of receptacle. typically such receptacles supplied 2 circuit breakers in handles of 2 poles tied common trip. if 2 large appliances used @ once, current passes through both , neutral carries difference in current. advantage 3 wires required serve these loads, instead of four. if 1 kitchen appliance overloads circuit, other side of duplex receptacle shut off well. called multiwire branch circuit. common trip required when connected load uses more 1 phase simultaneously. common trip prevents overloading of shared neutral if 1 device draws more rated current.