600amp Service change

[27hillcrest]

Today went to look at changing out a 600amp FPE service. The customer would like to replace it for new. As I was doing the survey I noticed the panel was used as a raceway. Looks like last time the building was worked on the other EC used the panel to run wires through it. Now I need to tear out the panel for the new panel. Am I violating the NEC if the wires pass through the new panel I put in??

 

[TOOL_5150]

No. You are fine - as long as the wires arent service conductors, which I doubt. Code says splices can take 75% and wires passing through can take 40% Of the space in a panel. 312.8

~Matt

 

[Buck Parrish]

IMO, Yes, but I don't have a code reference, yet.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

IMO, Yes, but I don't have a code reference, yet.

Read 312.8as mentioned above

 

[iwire]

Read 312.8 as mentioned above

I agree and will add that you must read the entire section, do not stop at the first sentence or you will be mislead. :smile:

 

[Buck Parrish]

For some reason I was thinking the wires useing the panel as a race way. We're feed from a different panel. And the existing panel was still in use.

Then if you turned off the main to the panel being used as a panel and a race way. It would still have energized wires in it.

 

[iwire]

Then if you turned off the main to the panel being used as a panel and a race way. It would still have energized wires in it.

That is allowed, you could run 480 volt conductors right through a 208 volt panel or pretty much any combination.

This is one of the reasons never to assume everything is off in a panel cabinet just because the panel feeder is off.

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

Don't forget about 230.7
&
read the definition of raceway in Art 100 as well.

 

[wawireguy]

Maybe while doing your upgrade you could re-route those conductors around your, new, pristine install : )

 

[eds]

If you nipple into the side abd nipple out the other side, must you now follow the 8x rule

 

[Rewire]

would 408.3 A (3) apply?

 

[Buck Parrish]

would 408.3 A (3) apply?

It sounds like to me it would. You would need a barrier if you ran wires from one panel through an other panel.

Now, where would you purchase this barrier. Because it surely has to be ul listed for this application.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

would 408.3 A (3) apply?

I don't think so. I believe this is talking about busbars and conductors on a switchboard or panelboard-- not in a panelboard.

 

[27hillcrest]

After further review the wires going straight through the panel are from and EM panel. Now I know this is a violation. I will be meeting with the customer to discuss the options to change it.
Thanks to all the replies.