Wiring Question

[Jerry Simon]

This is in this subject area specifically to piss-off Kibble. Anyhoo. . .

House with a detached barn. Inside the main electrical panelboard, the 240-volt wiring feeds for the barn exit the main panelboard back-through the raceway that contains the main service entrance cables, then some how/some way out to the barn. That's a Bozo No-No, isn't it (using the SEC raceway for lower branch circuit wiring)?

[Jim Katen]

That's right.

The feeders shouldn't be in the same raceway as the service conductors. The reference is 230.7.

[Erby]

Glad to see someone's taking care of Bill!

[Rob Amaral]

again.. "But why.. ??" Knowing 'why' is more important that 'chapter and verse'..

[Marc]

The service conductors are not fused at a value that will prevent their destruction. The raceway they're within confines the damage...as long as there's no other conductors in it.

Marc

Edit: grammar

[John Kogel]

again.. "But why.. ??" Knowing 'why' is more important that 'chapter and verse'..

What Marc said. The fused or downstream feeders are at risk of being energized by the service conductors.

In Canada, it is not permitted to have branch circuit wiring anywhere near the service conductors. In a combination breaker panel, a divider is installed to keep the service conductors and the main breaker separate from the branch circuits. Only an amateur will feed a new branch circuit in past the service conductors, which we find now and then when buddy has installed a hot tub.

Jerry, so how was the foundation? Or did you post that info already in the Roof forum?

[Jim Katen]

again.. "But why.. ??" Knowing 'why' is more important that 'chapter and verse'..

What Marc said. Plus, putting the two together creates the possibility for a fault to cross over from the unprotected service wires to the feeders.

I don't know why we don't keep them completely separate, like Canada does.

[Erby]

Gee, you mean this kinda connection is sorta stupid!

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