Need to add a 600 amp breaker to a 4000 amp switchgear. THere are currently 6 breakers on the busbar with no main. THe room is too small to add a main. Inspector is a real @#$%! and will not issue a deviation even though are calculations put us at like 3100 amps. So no danger of overloading. Job has to be done. Any suggestions?
6 main rule
- Thread starter bstan1976
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when you look at 230.71, make sure one of your 6 doesn't meet the exception.
beyond that, best bet probably would be to increase an existing breaker and add a subpanel picking up your new load and old load, asuming you change to a big enough frame breaker.
beyond that, best bet probably would be to increase an existing breaker and add a subpanel picking up your new load and old load, asuming you change to a big enough frame breaker.
electricalperson
Senior Member
- Location
- massachusetts
would it be possible to remove one of the breakers and replace it with a larger one and use that one to add a subpanel big enough for both new loads?
is the room too small for that? might be very expensive. you could always add a subpanel on the opposite side of the wall in some place code compliant
is the room too small for that? might be very expensive. you could always add a subpanel on the opposite side of the wall in some place code compliant
electricalperson
Senior Member
- Location
- massachusetts
sorry didnt see yours
zog
Senior Member
- Location
- Charlotte, NC
That is your best solution, depending on the breaker type there may be a larger frame size breaker that is interchangable, if not some minor cubical modifacations can be doen to accomadate, I just did one of those last week for a similar problem.
Post or PM me some details on the breakers and I will find you a solution.
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Overloading is not the issue. A fundamental principle is that you have to be able to turn off all power to a building quickly, in an emergency, such as a fire. If for example a fire fighter has to turn off breaker after breaker after breaker, and still not know for certain whether all are off yet, the delay could place someone's life in jeopardy. So a line had to be drawn somewhere, and the NEC drew the line at six.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Sounds logical, especially considering that the original wording included the term "six throws of the hand."
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