Back Fed Breaker

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k947

Member
Location
Pa
There is a main lug panel, but instead of using the lugs, insert a 100 amp plug on breaker as the main (being back-fed) and installing an additional means of support for that main breaker. The question is, are branch circuits allowed to be located across from this back-fed main breaker ? I didn't think you could have items across from the main, but I can't find a code section stating that.

Any guidance is appreciated to help me where to look.

Thanks
 

rlundsrud

Senior Member
Location
chicago, il, USA
I think that would be a manufacturer listing issue, not NEC. Does the gear have a sufficient bracing rating to handle a breaker located across from it. Also, would you need a hold down kit for a back-fed main. All questions for the manufacturer.
 

Dennis Alwon

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Occupation
Retired Electrical Contractor
The panelboard should state how many amps can be on one stab. The ones I have seen are anywhere from 100 to 125 amps. I think the tie down may prevent a breaker from being install across from it depending on the brand
 

cpinetree

Senior Member
Location
SW Florida
Cutler Hammer CH buss is rated to 200 amps.
PDF Link: http://www.eaton.com/ecm/idcplg?IdcService=GET_FILE&allowInterrupt=1&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased&noSaveAs=0&Rendition=Primary&dDocName=VOL01_TAB01

Relevant section:
Eaton’s Type CH loadcenters
feature silver flash plated
copper bus in all interiors. Stabs
are rated 200 A throughout
the CH line
. Therefore, the
sum of the handle ratings
connected to any one stab is
limited to 200 A maximum
.


CH also uses a main hold down that would not impede the use of another breaker opposite of it (When using a back fed beaker as a main)
Link: http://www.eaton.com/ecm/idcplg?IdcService=GET_FILE&allowInterrupt=1&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased&noSaveAs=0&Rendition=Primary&dDocName=996687985395
 

ggunn

PE (Electrical), NABCEP certified
Location
Austin, TX, USA
Occupation
Electrical Engineer - Photovoltaic Systems
I think that would be a manufacturer listing issue, not NEC. Does the gear have a sufficient bracing rating to handle a breaker located across from it. Also, would you need a hold down kit for a back-fed main. All questions for the manufacturer.
You would need a hold down for the backfed breaker. Solar gets an exception because an inverter connected through a backfed breaker shuts down if the breaker is disconnected from the panel, but any source that does not do that needs to have a held down breaker.
 

augie47

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Tennessee
Occupation
State Electrical Inspector (Retired)
In the manufactures literature I have seen limits on the size of breakers that can be opposite each other on one set of taps. As others have stated, its a manufacturers instruction and thus covered by 110.3(B)
 
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