Work space code

[Jpflex]

Wouldn’t this panel be a violation of not having at least 30 inches of horizontal workspace?

I used to think the 30 inches of free space had to extend from the left and right side of where the equipment ended. However I believe now it is either the greater of the size of the equipment or 30 inches total left to right from a wall or blockage

 

[infinity]

You're photo cuts the ruler off at 19". Is there 30" of width space in front of the panel?

 

[Jpflex]

There is a perpendicular wall blocking panel to the right edge.

To the left there is a window at 23 inches from wall where the photo cut at 19 inches

Does code allow this if 30 inches is available only on one side? Here’s a new pic.

 

[Jpflex]

This part of code has been confusing

 

[jim dungar]

This part of code has been confusing

It does not need to be centered.
Think of a 30" wide refrigerator box. If this box can be placed in front of the panel, you have sufficient working space.

 

[Jpflex]

It does not need to be centered.
Think of a 30" wide refrigerator box. If this box can be placed in front of the panel, you have sufficient working space.

The window doesn’t make a difference then as long as a 30 inch box can be placed here and hinge can swing 90degrees?

 

[Jpflex]

Here’s the inside without looking further into this I noticed feeders are quite small but maybe are code compliant if what I think code said must be at-least 8 AWG?

 

[augie47]

Here’s the inside without looking further into this I noticed feeders are quite small but maybe are code compliant if what I think code said must be at-least 8 AWG?

Nope.

 

[AC\DC]

No size limit for a feeder. Feeder is sized for load to be served. I am assuming the 100 amp is just a dissconnect And it’s fused properly on the other end.

 

[AC\DC]

Just from looking at that I bet if you is sized the feeder from the current branch circuits the 8 is to small.

 

[Jpflex]

There is a substation upstream but if these feeders are tapped directly off the pole lines and I don’t see a meter after weather-head and lines feed directly to panel as shown, am I to assume power is being stolen or could meter be at substation. The first point of disconnect would be at panel 100 amp main breaker

 

[Jpflex]

Close up power lines to weather-head to panel

 

[Jpflex]

No size limit for a feeder. Feeder is sized for load to be served. I am assuming the 100 amp is just a dissconnect And it’s fused properly on the other end.

I do recall seeing a code in NEC limiting the MINIMUM size feeder to no less than 8 AWG. However I don’t believe person who did this install did a load calculation

 

[Jpflex]

Just from looking at that I bet if you is sized the feeder from the current branch circuits the 8 is to small.

What do you mean by this? Which current branch?

 

[AC\DC]

I do recall seeing a code in NEC limiting the MINIMUM size feeder to no less than 8 AWG. However I don’t believe person who did this install did a load calculation

Only limitation is on dissconectting means. You can still have what ever size feeder you need just the discount has to rated at a certain amount.

 

[Jpflex]

Only limitation is on dissconectting means. You can still have what ever size feeder you need just the discount has to rated at a certain amount.

so your saying feeder to first point of disconnect has to be at least 8 AWG but if then feeding to another sub panel it can be any size according to load?

Since most feeders going to sub panel from main are fed by a two pole tie breaker are not the terminals to the breaker usually limited to not accept wires too large? How would you get larger feeders from main?

 

[Jpflex]

Here’s more I found and I’ll probably make another post just for this. Outside there is a GFCI receptacle not working.

No power was found at its line side or load side

The GFCI line side red 12 AWG wire goes all the way to a 20 ampere breaker and is on and measures 120 volts out
Along the wall routs this wire via a 1/2” EMT conduit

Looking as an open circuit I did a continuity test between hot terminal of GFCI and wire to breaker while off and disconnected from breaker. A little redundant I know but an open was confirmed either in the wall or EMT conduit.

After pulling out wire from panel, wall and EMT I found the break in the wire in EMT closer to outside GFCI outlets box.

The wire looked burnt open but I never came across a wire as large as 12 AWG burning open nor am I sure how exactly this happened?

Apparently the EGC did not trip the breaker as just enough insulation was present to stop contact between conductor and EMT. No voltage was detected on EMT prior

See pic

 

[AC\DC]

so your saying feeder to first point of disconnect has to be at least 8 AWG but if then feeding to another sub panel it can be any size according to load?

Since most feeders going to sub panel from main are fed by a two pole tie breaker are not the terminals to the breaker usually limited to not accept wires too large? How would you get larger feeders from main?

No, 215 states no minimum size of feeder, 220.2 says feeder can't be less then sum of brach circuit loads.
225.39 is only limitation and that is for the rating of the enclosure.

 

[AC\DC]

if that is comming off the load side of the meter then those are service wires not a feeder after your first discount then they are feeders. I am kinda lost with pics.

 

[Jpflex]

if that is comming off the load side of the meter then those are service wires not a feeder after your first discount then they are feeders. I am kinda lost with pics.

The picture doesn’t have a meter just pole lines to weatherhead straight to panel first disconnect breaker as shown