RustyShackleford
Senior Member
- Location
- NC
- Occupation
- electrical engineer
I'm looking at doing a main panel replacement, where ALL the branch circuits enter the panel via an L-shaped section of PVC conduit that brings the conductors in from the crawlspace, into the bottom of the exterior panel enclosure. The panel has 16 single-pole breakers and 5 double-pole ones, hence I'm counting over 41 current-carry conductors and thus a de-rating to 35% of the non-adjusted allowable currents in the conductors.
Is this a code or safety concern ? It's a close call whether the conductors are enclosed for more than 24". They are bundled together (in the crawlspace) as they enter the PVC, and then the PVC itself is perhaps18" long. So it depends upon how you count the PVC elbow (center-line, or outside of curve), and to what extent the bundling, before entering the PVC, counts against the 24". Seems like maybe this should be pretty strictly applied, given the fact we're talking a 35% de-rating factor.
It certainly makes the panel replacement a bit easier though - no messing with multiple knockouts and clamps ...
Thoughts ?
Is this a code or safety concern ? It's a close call whether the conductors are enclosed for more than 24". They are bundled together (in the crawlspace) as they enter the PVC, and then the PVC itself is perhaps18" long. So it depends upon how you count the PVC elbow (center-line, or outside of curve), and to what extent the bundling, before entering the PVC, counts against the 24". Seems like maybe this should be pretty strictly applied, given the fact we're talking a 35% de-rating factor.
It certainly makes the panel replacement a bit easier though - no messing with multiple knockouts and clamps ...
Thoughts ?