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memyselfandI

memyselfandI

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Hampton Roads, Virginia
I have a contractor who is running a feeder for 2 panels. The wires for both panels are in one raceway, a 2 1/2 in emt that enters a 10x10x6 steel box. They come out of the top of the box with another 2 1/2 in emt to the panels. 314.28(A)(2) basically says that if there is an angle or "U" pull or if you are making splices, which they are, the distance between each raceway entry inside the box and the opposite wall of the box needs to be 6 times the diameter correct? The conduit enters from the back and it has a removablecover, but the distance between each raceway is about six inches which to me is not adequate for complying with this article. Seems like an awfully small box to be installing 8-#1 CU's and 2 #6 wires plus connectors for the splices.
 
memyselfandI said:
I have a contractor who is running a feeder for 2 panels. The wires for both panels are in one raceway, a 2 1/2 in emt that enters a 10x10x6 steel box. They come out of the top of the box with another 2 1/2 in emt to the panels. 314.28(A)(2) basically says that if there is an angle or "U" pull or if you are making splices, which they are, the distance between each raceway entry inside the box and the opposite wall of the box needs to be 6 times the diameter correct? The conduit enters from the back and it has a removablecover, but the distance between each raceway is about six inches which to me is not adequate for complying with this article. Seems like an awfully small box to be installing 8-#1 CU's and 2 #6 wires plus connectors for the splices.
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If I am reading this right, the conduits enter from the back of the box and are opposite a removable cover. I believe that as long as the bending radius of the conductors are not exceeded per 312.6A (or per manufacturer's recommendation), then the box is per code. See the exception to 314.28 A 2 (2005)
 
If both of the conduits are coming in the back of the box then the #1's only need 3" of wire bending space per 312.6A as pointed out above.

You said that they come out of the top of the box which would mean the box has to be at least 15" tall.

It almost sounds like they are using the box like an LB (in from the top, out of the back) so I would say the box should be a minimum of 15" tall and 3" deep.
 
kpepin said:
If both of the conduits are coming in the back of the box then the #1's only need 3" of wire bending space per 312.6A as pointed out above.

You said that they come out of the top of the box which would mean the box has to be at least 15" tall.

It almost sounds like they are using the box like an LB (in from the top, out of the back) so I would say the box should be a minimum of 15" tall and 3" deep.
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where are you coming up with the 15" dimension ? I reread 314.28, and I can't see anything that applies other than the exception. It seems to me that only the box fill calcs would apply.

am I missing something ?
 
Seems like an awfully small box to be installing 8-#1 CU's and 2 #6 wires plus connectors for the splices.
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Certainly seems small to me also.

If it were just a pull box it seems minimal but doable.

BTW, I am basing my opinion on common sense not math.
 
yeah I guess A 2 still appliies to the conduits leaving the top. that would be 17 1/2" min though since you have 2 in a row.
 
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