Breaker and Voltage Drop

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Dean83169

Dean83169

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I was wondering what to do when you figure out that your voltage drop exceeds the code and therefore you need to upsize the wire. It will require #6 wires but the load is only 12 amps, What would the correct way for installation at the breaker or outlet since neither are meant for this conductor and to be within guidelines of the code?
 
Dean83169 said:
I was wondering what to do when you figure out that your voltage drop exceeds the code and therefore you need to upsize the wire. It will require #6 wires but the load is only 12 amps, What would the correct way for installation at the breaker or outlet since neither are meant for this conductor and to be within guidelines of the code?
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You can simply splice a #12 on to the larger wire in the enclosure(s) using any approved wire nut, split bolt, butt splice, etc...


Roger
 
Just change to 12 wire in the outlet box and PNL. Don't forget to increase the size of EGC.(250.122 B). Watch box fill at the outlet.
 
Voltage Drop Generally Not Code Required

Voltage Drop Generally Not Code Required

Dean
Generally speaking, the NEC does not have a requirement for voltage drop. There is reference to voltage drop in the FPNs after 210.19 and 215.2.

Chris brought up a good point about increasing the size of the EGC. If you would normally have a 12AWG, and increase the ungrounded conductor to 6 AWG, the EGC would be the same size.
 
I see what your saying, with that I am now concerned on the lines of doesn't it defeat the purpose of changing over the wire at the panel and downsizing it to the original size, or what about if it isnt a factor then what about using the panel to splice from the #6 down in order to attach it to the breaker.
 
Dean83169 said:
I see what your saying, with that I am now concerned on the lines of doesn't it defeat the purpose of changing over the wire at the panel and downsizing it to the original size, or what about if it isnt a factor then what about using the panel to splice from the #6 down in order to attach it to the breaker.
Click to expand...

The voltage drop is dependent on the distance of the conductors. A short piece of #12 wire installed on each end will have little affect on the #6 wire from preventing any voltage drop.

Splices are permitted in panelboards. Look at 312.8.
 
Dean, the small conductors could be run for quite a distance and then the larger conductors could be used this can be calculated using the known voltage, loads, distance, and resistance of the combination of conductors, as far as the second part of your question, read 312.8 in its entirety.

Roger
 
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