400A ECB direct to main switchgear bus

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Wildjon3006

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I'm currently working on a project in which the main Eaton switchgear may not have sufficient space (based on the current arrangement) to accept a 400A breaker. Assuming that I cannot re-arrange the breakers to make the available space work inside of the switchgear, is it code-worthy to use an ECB within 10' of the bus to feed my new panels? Does this setup fall under 240.21 (2011 NEC)?
 
The tap conductors would be less than 10' or 25' depending on which section you comply with. You will need to have UL come out to do a field inspection to determine that the modification doesn't invalidate the listing.
 
ron said:
The tap conductors would be less than 10' or 25' depending on which section you comply with. You will need to have UL come out to do a field inspection to determine that the modification doesn't invalidate the listing.
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agreed for the most part but you may not need UL to do a field inspection, and even if you need a field evaluation it does not have to be done by UL. some switchgear manufacturers have kits you can buy from them to do this kind of thing.
 
tap or service conductors?

tap or service conductors?

Are these proposed conductors taps (after a main breaker) or service conductors (line side of service disconnect)? In any case, I would be cautious of taping a bus without the manufacturer being involved (even though there are factory holes). And as mentioned, a NRTL field evaluation may also be required.
 
Wildjon3006 said:
Bus already has factory drilled and tapped holes that are available for use. Because I'm not drilling and tapping am I still falling into the 110 trap by just adding lugs?
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You probably would be better served asking the manufacturer about this.

I would not get real worried about any so called 110 trap. It is not really a trap. It is just there to remind you to follow the manufacturer's instructions, which one would think a professional would be doing anyway. But apparently, enough people ignored such instructions that the code makers felt it was necessary to require compliance with those instructions.
 
texie said:
Are these proposed conductors taps (after a main breaker) or service conductors (line side of service disconnect)? In any case, I would be cautious of taping a bus without the manufacturer being involved (even though there are factory holes). And as mentioned, a NRTL field evaluation may also be required.
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These are after a 1200A main breaker. I have Eaton involved currently trying to figure out a plan to fit a 400A breaker in this arrangement, but I'm trying to come up with a backup plan.
 

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Wildjon3006 said:
These are after a 1200A main breaker. I have Eaton involved currently trying to figure out a plan to fit a 400A breaker in this arrangement, but I'm trying to come up with a backup plan.
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Whats the GO or SO number on that panel?
 
I've seen Square D switchgear with subfeed lugs, presumably for just this purpose.

025v2.jpg (double click to enlarge)
Unfortunately at this installation they tapped the bus and then ran 100' before hitting a breaker. Whoops.
 
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