Busway Overcurrent Protection

[funaticii]

I have a high-rise condo with modular metering fed via busway on every 3rd floor. There is no overcurrent protection between the busway and the meter centers and no MCB @ the meter centers just a tap. The way I interpolate article 368.17 (B) and (c) is unless it's an industrial application overcurrent protection is required. I've read article 240.21 and can't get a tap rule to work. I say this is a code violation. Agree or disagree?

 

[RUWired]

How did they make the connection to the busway? Usually it is via a tap box or disconnect mounted on the busway.If it's via the disconnect, that is where the OCP is. If it's a tap box, then you need an OCPD.
Rick

 

[benaround]

funaticii, where does the busway recieve it's power from ? Is it possible that

the busway is concidered 'outside' per 230.6 ?

 

[funaticii]

No, 230.6 dosen't apply in this case. Rick, the meter center is connected to the busway via a tap box. I agree I think it should have OCP. I just want to make sure I'm not missing something in one of the tap rules before I speak up. Thanks for the feed back!

 

[jim dungar]

If the connection to the busway the same ampacity, or greater, as the busway then it is not considered a tap by 240.4.

 

[kingpb]

Would it fall under the same consideration as an MCC? The horizontal bus in an MCC is say 600A, where as the vertical sections may only be 300A. There is no protection between horizontal to vertical connection.

 

[RUWired]

Would it fall under the same consideration as an MCC?

Unless the rules of 240.21 apply, i don't see any other exceptions.

(C) Feeder or Branch Circuits. Where a busway is used as a feeder, devices or plug-in connections for tapping off feeder or branch circuits from the busway shall contain the overcurrent devices required for the protection of the feeder or branch circuits. The plug-in device shall consist of an externally operable circuit breaker or an externally operable fusible switch. Where such devices are mounted out of reach and contain disconnecting means, suitable means such as ropes, chains, or sticks shall be provided for operating the disconnecting means from the floor.

Exception No. 1: As permitted in 240.21.

Rick