Tap or Service?

[JoeNorm]

Hi all,

Trying to clear my head a little. I have familiarized myself with feeder tap rules to a reasonable degree. As "feeder" taps they only apply after the first means of disconnect. Anything upstream would be on the utility side.

Are there "tap" rules for the utility side, or do we just apply the rules of services here? Can conductors of reduced size(like a tap) be connected to service entrance conductors?

Thanks

 

[Buck Parrish]

Their are no NEC rules for tapping on the utilities side.

 

[JoeNorm]

So is it something that always has to be discussed with the utility?

 

[Buck Parrish]

So is it something that always has to be discussed with the utility?

Yes, if it's on the utilities side.
What are you thinking ? Something in a CT cabinet ?

 

[electrofelon]

I assume OP means between the service point and the first disconnect. Service taps aren't called that but they are effectively covered under 230.40, 230.46, 230.33, 230.70-72, and 230.90.

 

[JoeNorm]

Would you be allowed to attach a smaller gauge wire onto a larger gauge wire like you can with a tap? I do not have my code book handy at the moment.

 

[electrofelon]

Would you be allowed to attach a smaller gauge wire onto a larger gauge wire like you can with a tap? I do not have my code book handy at the moment.

Yup, as long as the service overcurrent device has a setting of the smallest conductor (service conductors that serve multiple service disconnects can be sized to the load not the sum of the OCPD's). 230.90(A) and exception #3.