Double Tap or Not?

[inspectorscot]

I understand that 2 branch circuit wires that are attached to 1 circuit breaker is considered a "double tap" (except for Square-D and one other breaker that I can not recall.)
What about 2 branch circuit wires that are "pig-tailed" or wire nutted together with a wire from the citcuit breaker (within the main electric panel. Even though there is only 1 wire from the breaker, wouldn't this be considered a "double-tap?" Can someone clarify double-tapping for me?

 

[iwire]

Re: Double Tap or Not?

The NEC does not use the word "double tap"

In the case of two wires in one terminal not rated for that you have a violation of 110.3(B) you are not using the terminal as it is listed to be used.

A pigtailed circuit most times is perfectly OK as long as the two wires are not say both the required kitchen 20 amp circuits, or the required bathroom circuit connected with the required laundry circuit.

 

[dana1028]

Re: Double Tap or Not?

Originally posted by inspectorscot:
What about 2 branch circuit wires that are "pig-tailed" or wire nutted together with a wire from the citcuit breaker (within the main electric panel. Even though there is only 1 wire from the breaker, wouldn't this be considered a "double-tap?" Can someone clarify double-tapping for me?

This situation is a splice within the panel...no different than if these circuit conductors were spliced in a junction box. This is permitted if the rules of 373-8 (1999 NEC) are followed.

Taps are a whole different story - see 240-21 (b) & (c) for rules associated with Taps.

Double Tapping....or tapping a tap is yet another story - 240-21 prohibits 'tapping a tap'. (Like Bob said, the NEC does not use the term 'double tap').

[ February 27, 2004, 05:25 PM: Message edited by: dana1028 ]

 

[charlie]

Re: Double Tap or Not?

Tap Conductors. As used in this article {Article 240}, a tap conductor is defined as a conductor, other than a service conductor, that has overcurrent protection ahead of its point of supply that exceeds the value permitted for similar conductors that are protected as described elsewhere in 240.4.

Tap conductors are only defined in Article 240. Notice the last portion of the definition; if the conductors have the same ampacity for the tap as for the run, it is not a tap. I believe CMP 1 has accepted a definition for tap conductors for inclusion into Article 100 for the 2005 NEC.