I am not trying to argue
I am not trying to argue
I agree that it is leagal, and I'm not trying to say that we need to make provisions for future loads. I'm only saying that it does not make sense to allow the capacity for more loading than the panel or conductors feeding it are rated for. In the example of a 200A panel with a 200A main, that is loaded with (42) 20A breakers, it makes sense because no mater what the amount of load is, the panel and wire is protected by the 200A main. There should either be a main OCPD that protects the panel and wire at its rating, or the 6 or less breakers that somehow qualify as the OCP should not be allowed to add up to more than the panel and wire feeding it are rated for. Either option would work to to protect the wire from overcurrent. Like I said a couple of posts back, every reason that you would have OCP in any panel would apply to the DP as well (whether its protecting it from overloading due to added loads, equipment malfunction, variable loads not accounted for in the load calc., Etc., does not matter). I just don't see why It's alright to do it in this situation but not anywhere else. The "we know the load calc. is lower that the panel and wire rating so it's not possible to overload it" doesn't make sense. If it did we could do it on every panel we install because we always know the load before we even order the wire and panel.
I guess it just boils down to the fact that I don't like it because I can't see the logic behind it. Sorry to ramble on, I'm going to install it the way the NEC says is acceptable, but I won't be happy about it. LOL!