Feeders & Branch Circuits Together

[big john]

Here's the layout:

There was an existing surface-mount panel with everything piped into it. More space was needed so a second surface-mount panel was set right next to the first, and chase nipples were run between the two enclosures. The original panel has a main breaker; the added panel is MLO and is fed from the original.

Instead of piping to the new panel, the installers just used the existing pipes and ran new circuits across the existing panel, using it as a raceway.

The feeders and branch circuits for the MLO panel are also both running through the same chase nipple.

Everyone is up in arms about this installation:
"You can't use a panel as a raceway!"
"You can't run branch circuits and feeders together!"

It looks like 312.8 says you can use a panel as a raceway, but I can't find anything about running feeders and branch circuits together, I just have a bunch of guys swearing that it's "code".

Any ideas? Thanks.

-John

 

[Dennis Alwon]

You are correct. The panel can be used as a raceway as long as box fill is considered. Normally it is not an issue.

 

[JohnJ0906]

Everyone is up in arms about this installation:
"You can't use a panel as a raceway!"
"You can't run branch circuits and feeders together!"

Did you ask them what NEC articles it was in violation of? :wink:

 

[resistance]

It looks like 312.8 says you can use a panel as a raceway, but I can't find anything about running feeders and branch circuits together, I just have a bunch of guys swearing that it's "code".

Just for extra infomation, you cannot install service conductors in the same raceway as feeders or branch circuits. See: 230.7

 

[glene77is]

Resistance,

You are absolutely correct.
< you cannot install service conductors in the same raceway
< as feeders or branch circuits. See: 230.7

Your example (230.7) is where the violation would occur.
I saw a whole wall of Troughes, Meters, Disconnects,
and vertical conduit,
ALL removed and ALL re-installed, over 230.7.

The OP is right in running Branch and Feeder through a cabinet,
carefully watching cabinet fill per 312.8.