Mike Lamb Posted January 18, 2012 Report Posted January 18, 2012 I don't think I have seen this before. The SEC is tapped in the service panel before it goes to the main disconnect. It then goes to the main disconnect and the new spliced SEC heads to another panel service disconnect. It this OK? Click to Enlarge 50.34 KB Click to Enlarge 57.14 KB Click to Enlarge 75.58 KB
Marc Posted January 18, 2012 Report Posted January 18, 2012 As far as I know, taps on the SEC are permitted but they're supposed to be in a gutter box, not in a main panel board. Marc
Mike Lamb Posted January 18, 2012 Author Report Posted January 18, 2012 Maybe this would apply? 312.8 Enclosures for Switches or Overcurrent Devices. Enclosures for switches or overcurrent devices shall not be used as junction boxes, auxiliary gutters, or raceways for conductors feeding through or tapping off to other switches or overcurrent devices, unless adequate space for this purpose is provided. The conductors shall not fill the wiring space at any cross section to more than 40 percent of the cross-sectional area of the space, an6 the conductors, splices, and taps shall not fill the wiring space at any cross section to more than 75 percent of the cross-sectional area of that space.
Jim Katen Posted January 18, 2012 Report Posted January 18, 2012 I don't think I have seen this before. The SEC is tapped in the service panel before it goes to the main disconnect. It then goes to the main disconnect and the new spliced SEC heads to another panel service disconnect. It this OK? If the SEC is tapped, before it lands on the main lugs, then you've got two service panels there and two service disconnects. There's no one thing called a "main." Personally, I don't see a problem with it. 312.8 allows this if adequate space for this purpose is present. Obviously, there's plenty of space. Some might argue that that space isn't "for this purpose" but I disagree. If I had a concern with those taps it would be with whether or not the split bolts were listed for use with three conductors.
Jim Katen Posted January 18, 2012 Report Posted January 18, 2012 As far as I know, taps on the SEC are permitted but they're supposed to be in a gutter box, not in a main panel board. But they're not *in* the panelboard. The thing in the photo is a load center. It includes a panelboard mounted in an enclosure. Unless there's something from the manufacturer that prohibits splices in these enclosures, I'm not aware of anything in the NEC that would prohibit it. We make splices in little bitty receptacle boxes, switch boxes, and ceiling boxes, why not make them in the much more commodious service panel box? (Of course, in Canada, this would be prohibited.)
plummen Posted January 18, 2012 Report Posted January 18, 2012 As far as I know, taps on the SEC are permitted but they're supposed to be in a gutter box, not in a main panel board. Marc Thats the way Ive normally seen it done also
Erby Posted January 18, 2012 Report Posted January 18, 2012 Around here, that split is usually made inside the meter box on the outside of the home. Click to Enlarge 87.28 KB Thus, on the inside we see: Click to Enlarge 57.94 KB
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