408.36 Exception No. 1

[hurk27]

I do a few subdivisions entrance lighting and gate systems, in as such I try to keep cost down and find the best products that fits the need without un-necessary extras, lately I have been confused as to why company's have not kept up with the NEC.

Simply put, I needed a simple meter/small panel pedestal, 100 amp rated with 4 or 5 breaker spaces to feed the entrance lights and sign, no one offers one without a main breaker which takes up 2 of the available spaces an in the case of Midwest Electric leaves only 3 spaces to use for circuits.

In 2008 the NEC changed 408.36 exception 1 to allow any panel that meets the requirements in 230.71 to be used as service entrance, which means 6 throws or less, and have a bond-able neutral bar.

I called Midwest and talked to one of their engineers and they were unaware of this change???:rant:

here we are in the 2011 code cycle and many of these companies are still manufacturing to 2002 standards???

Guess this is just a rant because it is getting hard to bid when products are not available, logistics in this day and time is getting terrible.

Is anyone else haveing these kinds of problems?

 

[hurk27]

I guess I should have asked the question, is my thinking correct on the changes to the 2008 408.36?

does it allow the above design for simple low cost pedestals?

 

[dclauria]

I,ve been using SqD Homeline W/P 6/12 panels for years for small services; never realized there was a change. Always figured the 6 motions of the hand was good enough.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I think what Wayne is talking about is the change from lighting and appliance branch panel boards. At one time you needed a main if you had 6 sp disconnects as service equipment. Today any panel that is rated suitable as service equipment can be used without a main no matter if the 6 disconnects are single poles or double poles.

I find it hard to believe that Midwest doesn't know this. Isn't there another manufacturer that you can use.