adding length to cable for panel upgrade

[automaton]

The saga continues...

Is it within code to run a 40 or 50 amp circuit into a small "splice box" to add cable length above or near a circuit panel? Or do I just camo it as a service disconnect? I know you can do it with lower amp circuits, just wasnt sure about this one. Need to add some length for the new panel.

 

[George Stolz]

Re: adding length to cable for panel upgrade

Is this the panel that would serve as the first means of disconnect for the service, or the panel after that?

I'm guessing it's the new sub-panel, which begs the question: Why not just get a long enough piece?

 

[automaton]

Re: adding length to cable for panel upgrade

Ah... I should have explained with more detail. Perhaps this will clarify things.

Its a new 200 Amp Main panel board. I am removing an old Bulldog Pushmatic 100 Amp from the 50's and swapping it with a new 200 Amp Square D. Problem is, some of the cables are going to end up a bit short due to the new sized casing and arrangement, the Pushmatic is set up so the neutral and ground is on top interior box and the Square D, they are placed much lower. I like the Square D configuration, just these wires are going to end up a tad short, so I need to add length. Someone previously added some length to wires within Panel, however I dont believe that this is a good idea for 10 awg and 8 awg. The three cables that I need to extend are for Kitchen Range/Cooktop/Stove etc.

This job is kind of my personal nightmare. Wife volunteered me to help this family out which is our childrens god parents, she didnt quite take in consideration what she volunteered me for. 1930's home, cruddy ungrounded system, next thing I know, I am practically reconstructing the entire entrance, I might as well get a 6' ladder on my van and move the service aerial to the other side of house at the rate this is going.

 

[petersonra]

Re: adding length to cable for panel upgrade

I don't see any problem with what you are doing. If I understand what you are doing correctly, you need to lengthen the wiring on a branch circuit.

It might indeed look a little cheesey, but I don't see that it is in anyway proscribed or unsafe.

However, since this is as old as it is, are you planning to replace the 3 wires going to the range with 4 wires?

 

[automaton]

Re: adding length to cable for panel upgrade

I wasnt planning on changing that now, although, that would solve alot of problems with length. I have two 30 amp circuits and one 40 amp circuit that go to two stoves and one range. They are all too short tho, I just wasnt sure that it was within code to extend in a small "splice box" near the panel like that. I would rather avoid doing that, but I really dont have a choice right now. I have not seen anything in regards to it, so I wanted to address the professional electrician community about it.

 

[jeff43222]

Re: adding length to cable for panel upgrade

I don't see a problem, either. I do stuff like this all the time. I just did a panel swap where the homeowner wanted me to yank his 100A main fuse box and the 8-space breaker subpanel right next to it and install a 30-space main panelboard for all the circuits. Unfortunately, most of the cables entering the subpanel weren't long enough to reach where they needed to go inside the new panel. So I mounted a 12" x 9" box next to the main panel, connected it with a PVC nipple, and ran THHN from the box to the panel. Basically, the 12x9 box is just a big j-box. I don't really see a better way to deal with this kind of situation.

 

[wpaul29]

Re: adding length to cable for panel upgrade

I've used junction box before also but Ive also used butt splices inside the panel. Just tape them up good. They arnt much bigger than the wire an they don't look like trash like wire nuts do. This might same some time instead of using a junction box but if there are alot of cables very short I would go with the JB.

 

[automaton]

Re: adding length to cable for panel upgrade

You know using the butt splices would most definately work. You just saved me some serious time. Its actually not that many cables, and actually most of them should be ok. There might be a couple 14 gauge and 12 gauge wires. I could use a j box for those. I am more concerned about staying in code with extending the range and stove lines.

Thanks again. I am about to start this job, perhaps this weekend. Wish me luck.