Feeder Panel Disconnect Location??

[jclint07]

Question #1- Feeder panel DISCONNECT shall be installed ON building served. (225.32) Correct?

Question #2-Feeder panel OVERCURRENT PROTECTION shall be installed ANYWHERE ahead of feeder panel. Correct? Could someone please direct me to exact NEC '08 Code section?)

Question #3- So if Feeder Panel is installed in a building SEPERATE from building where it recieves it's power AND overcurrent protection, this feeder panel not having a main breaker (disconnect) installed within it, only 42 individual branch circuit breakers, OR on it's building, would be violation, correct?

It's the exact code sections that I'm having a problem finding.

 

[kwired]

Question #1- Feeder panel DISCONNECT shall be installed ON building served. (225.32) Correct?

Question #2-Feeder panel OVERCURRENT PROTECTION shall be installed ANYWHERE ahead of feeder panel. Correct? Could someone please direct me to exact NEC '08 Code section?)

Question #3- So if Feeder Panel is installed in a building SEPERATE from building where it recieves it's power AND overcurrent protection, this feeder panel not having a main breaker (disconnect) installed within it, only 42 individual branch circuit breakers, OR on it's building, would be violation, correct?

It's the exact code sections that I'm having a problem finding.

225.32 requires disconnect(s) on the separate building or structure. It is similarly worded as the requirements for serivce disconnects. Not certain overcurrent protection is required on the separate building or structure, often it is a part of the disconnect anyway, I need to look into that more to answer that.

Add: 225.40 seems to allow overcurrent device to not be on separate building but does require it to be readily accessible. I still do not see this as omitting the requirement for a disconnnect though.

 

[charlie b]

Question #1- Feeder panel DISCONNECT shall be installed ON building served. (225.32) Correct?

Not correct. You are getting two concepts confused. 225.32 is talking about disconnecting power to a building. It has nothing to do with any panel that might be inside the building. That disconnect can be outside or inside. Some AHJs will say that if it is outside, then it must be actually attached to the outer wall of the building. I don?t see any words in the code to back up that interpretation. There are also many interpretations of how far you can go inside a building before you get to the disconnecting means. My state has a 15 foot limit. Other jurisdictions wan the disconnect at the inside wall.

Question #2-Feeder panel OVERCURRENT PROTECTION shall be installed ANYWHERE ahead of feeder panel. Correct? Could someone please direct me to exact NEC '08 Code section?)

Correct. 408.36.

Question #3

I don?t quite understand this question. I will say that if there is a breaker located in one building that provides power to a panel in another building, then that breaker can serve as the panel?s overcurrent protection. See your question #2. However, the building in which the panel is located will still need a disconnecting means, as discussed in your question #1.

 

[jclint07]

My original question #3 was confusing. I apologize. Let me try again....

Feeder panel inside building does NOT have to have it's overcurrent protection attached to the building it is in or even in the feeder panel itself.
(408.36)

But feeder panel DOES have to have it's disconnect either attached to it's building or actually be in the feeder panel itself. (225.32)

Both statements correct, right?

 

[augie47]

225.36 might add a wrinkle....

225.36 Suitable for Service Equipment.
The disconnecting means specified in 225.31 shall be suitable for use as service equipment.

Most panels seem to note to the effect "suitable as service equipment when a main or not more than 6 disconnecting means are installed".
I think the argument could be made that a MLO panel with more than 6 breakers in a separate building would not meet 225.36