Main Breaker

[wmeek]

When is A main required in a loadcenter for lights and receptacles

[stickboy1375]

When is A main required in a loadcenter for lights and receptacles

6 switch rule art 225.33, sorry thats for outside circuits, non if it's a sub-panel

[wmeek]

I know if its a service you can not have more than six throws of the hand, without having a Main Breaker or a Fusible Disconnect. I was not sure about a sub panel

[mdshunk]

I was not sure about a sub panelIf that sub's in a detached structure, then you're doing the main thing all over again.

[wmeek]

This sub is is the same building as the service. Also what if you have a Sub off a Sub , do you need a Main. Also, if you have a Sub in another structure with less than six breakers do you have to have a Main.

[stickboy1375]

If that sub's in a detached structure, then you're doing the main thing all over again.

I think i'm getting confused? If I have two panels in 1 building its a sub, but as soon as I leave that building I need a main (if more than 6 switches) , I wonder how they justify this just by going outside, i've seen sub-panels father apart than outbuildings...why a main at OUTBUILDING? and NOT SUB?

[stickboy1375]

This sub is is the same building as the service. Also what if you have a Sub off a Sub , do you need a Main. Also, if you have a Sub in another structure with less than six breakers do you have to have a Main.

Than NO, and NO again, as far as the 3rd question, only allowed 1 feeder per building and no you would not need a main BUT you would need ground rods unless a branch circuit is the feed.... but don't 100% quote me on that...

[wmeek]

Thanks for your replys. I just was a little confused myself.

[mdshunk]

I think i'm getting confused? If I have two panels in 1 building its a sub, but as soon as I leave that building I need a main (if more than 6 switches) , I wonder how they justify this just by going outside, i've seen sub-panels father apart than outbuildings...why a main at OUTBUILDING? and NOT SUB?

I guess you'd have to ask the people that wrote 225.31 and 225.32

[sparkie001]

Each structure on the property has to have a building disconnecting means. This can be from 1 to 6 CB's or fusible switches, as long as they are grouped at each building. And they need to be labeled as main disconnects. If this panel is a sub panel, directly fed from a branch circuit breaker in another panel in the same bldg then it doesn't need a main. If it is fed through a xfmr, then the panel needs to have a fused sw or CB somewhere between the xfmr and the panel, or a main in the panel itself. If it is fed from a transformer, then there are other rules on conductor (tap) length.

[sparkie001]

why a main at OUTBUILDING? and NOT SUB?

It's required as a means of shutting off power to the outbuilding in case of fire or other emergency.

[stickboy1375]

It's required as a means of shutting off power to the outbuilding in case of fire or other emergency.

your missing my point because of WHY? How far you have to walk to get to the main? if thats the case like i said before i've seen sub-panel's farther away than out buildings....

[sparkie001]

your missing my point because of WHY? How far you have to walk to get to the main? if thats the case like i said before i've seen sub-panel's farther away than out buildings....

Fire departments are not concerned with how far they have to walk/run to get to a sub panel. They just shut the whole building off. So the distance to a sub panel in the same building is not important.

[stickboy1375]

Fire departments are not concerned with how far they have to walk/run to get to a sub panel. They just shut the whole building off. So the distance to a sub panel in the same building is not important.

Thanks I knew I was missing something...