Feeder,Breaker,Panel Coordination

[wboz]

Please see the following problem I'm having with a local inspector.

We have 5-225a and 1-100a rated MLO sub-panels on our project all fed from an MDP.

2-fed with 225 amp OCP and 225 amp feeders
1-fed with 150 amp OCP and 150 amp feeders
2-fed with 110 amp OPC and 110 amp feeders
1-100a panel fed with 70 amp OCP and 70 amp feeder

The inspector is refusing to sign off and issue our permit saying this is a code violation.

He states that all OCP devices and feeders must match the name plate rating of the MLO sub-panels.

Ie:5-breakers and feeders sized at 225 amps
and 1-breaker and feeder at 100 amps.

I feel he is wrong but he is standing his ground.

 

[charlie]

Re: Feeder,Breaker,Panel Coordination

Ask him for the Code reference. He is confusing the tap rules with feeder requirements.

 

[charlie b]

Re: Feeder,Breaker,Panel Coordination

408.13 (NEC 2002):

All panelboards shall have a rating not less than the minimum feeder capacity required for the load. . . .

408.16(A):

Each lighting and appliance branch circuit panelboard shall be individually protected on the supply side by not more than two main circuit breakers or two sets of fuses having a combined rating not greater than the that of the panelboard.

408.16 (B):

In addition . . . a power panelboard . . . shall be protected by an overcurrent protective device having a rating not greater than the that of the panelboard.

The Inspector is wrong. It is permissible to have an OCPD and a feeder that are rated lower than the panelboard.