Definition Of Branch Circuit

[ed downey]

I have a project where they changed the branch circuit wiring from EMT conduit and wire to MC cable to save some money.

The electrical contractor ran a circuit to a small rooftop unit in MC cable and the engineer has requested that he change it to EMT cconduit and wire.

My stance according to the definitions of Article 100 would be that this piece of equipment is considered an appliance and is therefore part of a branch circuit.

Please let me know your thoughts on this.

Appliance. Utilization equipment, generally other than industrial, that is normally built in standardized sizes or types and is installed or connected as a unit to perform one or more functions such as clothes washing, air conditioning, food mixing, deep frying, and so forth.

Branch Circuit, Appliance. A branch circuit that supplies energy to one or more outlets to which appliances are to be connected and that has no permanently connected luminaires (lighting fixtures) that are not a part of an appliance.

 

[pierre]

Re: Definition Of Branch Circuit

Hello Ed, long time no hear - good to see ya!!!!!

Are there overcurrent device(s) at the disconnect by the rooftop A/C? If so, the conductors up to the disco with the overcurrent device would be feeders.

If there are not overcurrent devices, and it is just a disconnecting means by the A/C unit at the roof, then the conductors are branch circuit.

 

[charlie b]

Re: Definition Of Branch Circuit

I don't understand why it would matter what you call the unit or what you call the circuit. Both wiring methods are allowed by the code.

If the engineer's plans called for one wiring method, and if the contractor built it with a different wiring method, then it is up to the owner to resolve the debate. For example, if the contract says that the installer shall follow the engineer's plans, and shall not deviate from the plans without prior approval, then the owner can force the contractor to correct the error at no additional cost to the owner. Where you go from here will depend on the wording of any contracts between the owner and the engineer, and between the owner and the installer.

 

[ed downey]

Re: Definition Of Branch Circuit

Pierre, there is not an overcurrent device at the unit only a non fused disconnect.
Charlie, this is a gray area. at bid time the project was overbudget so we had the low electrical contractor offer any Value Engineering deducts that could help alleviate the budget issues. One of the items was to use MC Cable for branch circuits in lieu of EMT conduit and wire. Now we are nearing the end of the project and the electrical contractor has installed MC cable to feed the rooftop unit and the engineer believes that this should be EMT conduit. Myself and the electrical contractor believe that MC Cable is acceptable per the Value Engineering at the beginning of the project. We will now forward both opinions to the owner to see what he thinks.
Thanks for your responses.
-Ed

 

[tom baker]

Re: Definition Of Branch Circuit

EMT and MC cable are both chapter 3 wiring menthods. As long as they are installed with in the scope of use, then either is acceptable, for a feeder or branch circuit.

 

[charlie b]

Re: Definition Of Branch Circuit

Since there is no overcurrent protection device at the load, the wires going to the load comprise a branch circuit. So I conclude that the contractor did what the contract (as amended by the Value Engineering process) said to do.

If the engineer does not think the results are in compliance with code or represent any type of safety issue, then the engineer has a duty to report the facts to the owner. But I don't see a code violation or a safety issue.

It is up to the owner: accept the installation as-is or pay to have it changed.