I just don't understand the advantage to doing it this way...Why not do it right?
The advantage is if you have allot of lighting to have 2 circuits instead of one big one and to balance the load. Its for safety really, plus its cheaper (smaller wire, cheaper breakers). If you had to run 2 circuits on the same phase you would need 2 neutrals to go with the 2 hots. Each phase can share a common neutral. You could run them all at 240 if you want to but then it will always be live unless you have all 2 pole switches. Its not odd ball wiring at all, most 240 appliances have 3 wire running to them, its mostly heating that doesn't use a neutral. If you aren't using contactors 240 volt timers are hard to come by as well.
coldpurple Reviewed by coldpurple on . 1000's of watts of light? here are some tips. Well I just joined so I guess I'll share some knowledge. First I would like to say that if you are not familiar with electricity this kind of work should be left to someone who is. Electricity is dangerous at any voltage, never work on anything live and make sure to ground everything. So lets say you've gone all out and your pushing a couple thousand watts of lights. First thing you want it is a timer but they usualy don't handle the load you need unless you spend big bucks. What you need is a Rating: 5