Fiire Pump feeder overcurrent protection

[steve holt]

Is overcurrent protection / disconnecting means a requirement for fire pump feeders (both normal and emergency), or can they be tapped directly to the switchboard bussing or transformer and terminate at the fire pump controller in another location?

 

[augie47]

In general, permitted but not required.

 

[GoldDigger]

In general, permitted but not required.

And if OCPD is installed as permitted, the current setting of the OCPD must be very high (above the LRA of the pump motor as a continuous load).

 

[steve holt]

What about section 230.82 (5) which says "if provided with service equipment and installed in accordance with the requirements for service-entrance conductors". Doesn't this indicate that OCP is a requirement?

 

[Smart $]

What about section 230.82 (5) which says "if provided with service equipment and installed in accordance with the requirements for service-entrance conductors". Doesn't this indicate that OCP is a requirement?

No. It just means that the conductors must be installed to the same requirements as service-entrance conductors... and not feeder conductors. For example, the conductors must be installed outside or such that they are considered outside per 230.6.

Have you read Article 695?

 

[steve holt]

Yes, 695.3(A)(1) is what referred me to 230.82(5). When 230.82(5) refers to "service equipment", I am taking that to mean some means of disconnecting and possibly/probably over current protection.

 

[Smart $]

Yes, 695.3(A)(1) is what referred me to 230.82(5). When 230.82(5) refers to "service equipment", I am taking that to mean some means of disconnecting and possibly/probably over current protection.

It's just stating a service tap is permitted to be in service equipment. However, note prior to that it states "from a connection located ahead of and not within the same cabinet, enclosure, vertical switchgear section, or vertical switchboard section as the service disconnecting means." The only places I can think of that would meet that description would be a service transformer, or line-side meter enclosure or CT cabinet.