Feeder Tap

[Electron_Sam78]

I'm looking at 2008 NEC article 240.21(B) and wanted to get clarification on what a feeder tap is. My thinking is that it is a smaller wire spliced with a larger wire without OC protection at the tap. Then the smaller wire feeds an overcurrent device (unless 10 ft long or less 240.21(B)(1)). Feeder Tap. Am I right?

 

[cpal]

try reading 240.2 the definition of a tap conductor, but you are somewhat correct.

 

[Electron_Sam78]

I did read that. I understand what a tap is. Just wanting clarification on what "feeder tap"

 

[Electron_Sam78]

Does it mean that it is a tap coming from a feeder? The NEC language says "Conductors shall be permitted to be tapped...to a feeder as specified in 240.21(B)(1) through (B)(5)."

 

[infinity]

The feeder tap conductor need to be at least 10% of the ampacity of the OCPD protecting the feeder for the 10' rule. If the tap conductor ampacity is 1/3 or greater than the OCPD protecting the feeder then your tap conductors fall under the 25' rule.

 

[Electron_Sam78]

I'm actually just wondering what exactly is meant by the term "feeder tap". Is this only talking about a tap coming from (tapped into) a feeder wire? Or is it talking about the tap conductors being the feeder?

 

[Electron_Sam78]

I think I found a clue to answer this question: 240.21(B)(1)(3) Except at the point of connection to the feeder...

 

[Twoskinsoneman]

I'm actually just wondering what exactly is meant by the term "feeder tap". Is this only talking about a tap coming from (tapped into) a feeder wire? Or is it talking about the tap conductors being the feeder?

Yup a feeder tap is a tap of a feeder. (feeder is well defined in NEC)
Just like you can have branch circuit taps and service taps.

 

[Electron_Sam78]

Yup a feeder tap is a tap of a feeder. (feeder is well defined in NEC)
Just like you can have branch circuit taps and service taps.

Thanks! That's what I was wondering.