Re: 6 disconnect rule violation?
I have been closely watching this thread and have come to at least one conclusion.
There is a misunderstanding about a temp saw service as George has posted above and a distribution panel as outlined in the original post.
A listed power outlet (self contained temp service) does not require a main as would the distribution panel that George is trying to use as a temp service. When a panel is set and the receptacle outlets are not contained with-in the panel (a listed power outlet) then this panel is required to have a main as outlined in 408.36.
408.36 Overcurrent Protection.
(A) Lighting and Appliance Branch-Circuit Panelboard Individually Protected. Each lighting and appliance branch-circuit panelboard shall be individually protected on the supply side by not more than two main circuit breakers or two sets of fuses having a combined rating not greater than that of the panelboard.
Although there are similarities between 225 and 230 these two article address two completely different conductors. 230 addresses unprotected conductors while 225 addresses protected conductors that are installed outside.
There are a couple of different sections that we need to look at when installing a panel in a separate building such as an unattached garage.
First let?s look at 225.31, 32 and 33. In 31 a disconnect is required, 32 states that it can be inside or outside and 33 states the six disconnect rule.
We now know that one is required somewhere at the point of entry and it can not have more than six disconnects installed.
Now we must ask what this enclosure that we are installing is being used for. Will there be more than ten percent of the overcurrent devices rated at or below thirty amps that will utilize the grounded neutral conductor? If the answer to this question is yes then this panel will be required to comply with 408.36 as posted above.
A real close reading of 408.36 will find an exception;
Exception No. 1: Individual protection for a lighting and appliance panelboard shall not be required if the panelboard feeder has overcurrent protection not greater than the rating of the panelboard.
This exception is knocked down by the rule found in 225.31 and 32 which states that the separate building is required to have a disconnecting means either inside or outside.
Article 225 took exception one of 408.36 out of the picture for the panel located in a separate building but the main rule still stands. Should this panel fit the definition of a lighting and appliance panel then a main is now required.
