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2023 NEC Section 210.63(B)(2)

blake1008205

Member
Location
Powder Springs, GA
Occupation
Electrical Engineer
Hello everyone, I'm trying to decide between 2 options I have for a project I'm working on and am trying to find a workaround for the 2023 NEC code 210.63 (B)(2) about the receptacle not being connected to the load side of the equipment's disconnecting means. Option 1: Have a separate CB dedicated to the GFCI outlet serving the panel (L1) from my panel in the electrical room (LP). The conduit would contain the feeders for panel L1 and the conductors for the outlet (the run is about 250'). Option 2: Tap off the secondary of the transformer that feeds panel L1 before the MCB and run to a small disconnect switch that then supplies the GFCI outlet. I would love to hear everyone's thoughts about both options and also how dumb the wording of this code is
 

infinity

Moderator
Staff member
Location
New Jersey
Occupation
Journeyman Electrician
Option 1: Have a separate CB dedicated to the GFCI outlet serving the panel (L1) from my panel in the electrical room (LP). The conduit would contain the feeders for panel L1 and the conductors for the outlet (the run is about 250').
If you're already running a raceway for the feeder you could just add the circuit for the receptacle but that would require derating and likely larger feeder condcutors. Why can't the receptacle come out of the panel L1 different voltage?
 

blake1008205

Member
Location
Powder Springs, GA
Occupation
Electrical Engineer
If you're already running a raceway for the feeder you could just add the circuit for the receptacle but that would require derating and likely larger feeder condcutors. Why can't the receptacle come out of the panel L1 different voltage?
Since it's serving the panel, it can't come out of the panel L1 per the code wording. It can't be on the load side of the equipment disconnecting means in this case the MCB of the panel
 

infinity

Moderator
Staff member
Location
New Jersey
Occupation
Journeyman Electrician
Since it's serving the panel, it can't come out of the panel L1 per the code wording. It can't be on the load side of the equipment disconnecting means in this case the MCB of the panel
How is the receptacle if it comes out of the panel being connecting to the equipment’s branch-circuit disconnecting means?

210.63(B)(2) Indoor Equipment Requiring Dedicated Equipment Spaces.
Where equipment, other than service equipment, requires dedicated equipment space as specified in 110.26(E), the required receptacle outlet shall be located within the same room or area as the electrical equipment and shall not be connected to the load side of the equipment’s branch-circuit disconnecting means.
 

wwhitney

Senior Member
Location
Berkeley, CA
Occupation
Retired
How is the receptacle if it comes out of the panel being connecting to the equipment’s branch-circuit disconnecting means?
You've quoted the 2020 NEC, but the thread title specifies the 2023 NEC, which deleted the words "branch-circuit":

210.63(B)(2) Indoor Equipment Requiring Dedicated Equipment Spaces
Where equipment, other than service equipment, requires dedicated equipment space as specified in 110.26(E), the required receptacle outlet shall be located within the same room or area as the electrical equipment and shall not be connected to the load side of the equipment's disconnecting means.

Cheers, Wayne
 

blake1008205

Member
Location
Powder Springs, GA
Occupation
Electrical Engineer
How is the receptacle if it comes out of the panel being connecting to the equipment’s branch-circuit disconnecting means?
The receptacle will be used for servicing/maintenance of panel L1, I can't use a circuit breaker inside panel L1 because if they turn the panel off I lose power to the receptacle. That's the whole reason for this code that was added in 2020. By trying to use a circuit out of the L1 panel, I do not comply with the code because I would be connecting to the load side of the panel's disconnecting means which is the MCB for the panel
 

infinity

Moderator
Staff member
Location
New Jersey
Occupation
Journeyman Electrician
The receptacle will be used for servicing/maintenance of panel L1, I can't u7se a circuit breaker inside panel L1 because if they turn the panel off I lose power to the receptacle. That's the whole reason for this code that was added in 2020. By trying to use a circuit out of the L1 panel, I do not comply with the code because I would be connecting to the load side of the panel's disconnecting means which is the MCB for the panel
I don't see how that applies to the panel but it is an interesting question. The panel is not on the side of the branch circuit disconnecting means.
I don't believe so, there's no sign of that in this thread.

Cheers, Wayne
Post #7.
 

blake1008205

Member
Location
Powder Springs, GA
Occupation
Electrical Engineer
2020 or 2023 I think my problem still applies, the wording is very weird and I think the only 2 ways I can meet the code to the letter are the options I put in the original question. I saw another thread talking about this same code but they didn't give answers to the question of what is the best way to go about it and I was hoping someone that has worked on this or installed it could give me some insight
 

wwhitney

Senior Member
Location
Berkeley, CA
Occupation
Retired
The panel is not on the side of the branch circuit disconnecting means.
The panel's distribution breakers are on the load side of the panel's "equipment disconnecting means" and so may not be used to supply the receptacle required by 2023 NEC 210.63(B)(2).

Cheers, Wayne
 

Dennis Alwon

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Occupation
Retired Electrical Contractor
Wow, I get what they are doing but like the ORIGINAL POSTER stated if the sub panel is 200 feet from any other panel then you would need to run a long distance for that one receptacle. What a pita that would be.
 

Dennis Alwon

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Occupation
Retired Electrical Contractor
If possible I would tap of the line side of the panel and put a disconnect that would feed that receptacle. Depending on the size of the panel you will have to size the wire to the disconnect based on the tap rule you are using.
 

blake1008205

Member
Location
Powder Springs, GA
Occupation
Electrical Engineer
If possible I would tap of the line side of the panel and put a disconnect that would feed that receptacle. Depending on the size of the panel you will have to size the wire to the disconnect based on the tap rule you are using.
I think that's what I'm going to end up doing. It doesn't seem reasonable to run the receptacle circuit 250' with the feeders and have to derate, etc. But I am going to ask the contractor his thoughts, as this will effect cost
 

infinity

Moderator
Staff member
Location
New Jersey
Occupation
Journeyman Electrician
The panel's distribution breakers are on the load side of the panel's "equipment disconnecting means" and so may not be used to supply the receptacle required by 2023 NEC 210.63(B)(2).
Under the 2020 wording which specifically uses the words branch circuit the receptacle can be fed from the panel. Under the 2023 you
would need to find another way to do this. If it's 208Y/120 then just tap off the feeder to a fused disconnect switch to the receptacle.
 
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