Fire Pump Controller Feeders

G

Greenboy

Member
Location
Seattle, WA
Feeders from the service switchgear to the fire pump controller is tapped ahead of the main in a separate vertical switchgear enclosure. Fire pump is 480 volts.

I am told that we need to run a neutral, along with the 3 phases from the switchgear to the fire pump controller, even though the neutral is not being used. The bonding is done in the service switchgear. Therefore I argue that the service point is in the switchgear, and the neutral is not required at the fire pump.

Where in the NEC does that states this requirement of running the neutral required at the fire pump?
 
So the fire pump controller is being used as a service switch? If so then the neutral is required to be brought to the service switch even if the fire pump doesn't require one. The neutral will be bonded and used to provide the starting point for all down stream EGC's.
 
Very rarely do I see an actual full size neutral ran to the fire pump controller, usually it’s reduced down to an egc size, and as infinity said, it’s bonded to the enclosure just like a service. It is basically an additional service disconnect, but remotely located as per code. You do not need an egc because of that. What does the engineer show?
 
I would add that since there is no OCPD before the FP controller the conductors are not feeders as mentioned in the thread title.
 
And they have to be outside the building, or in the slab, or enclosed in a firewall. I was on one job where they supposedly scanned the slab for conduits and power, yet dead centered the fire pump service with a large coring machine. The crew running the machine walked out the door and didn’t look back! LOL!
 
hillbilly1 said:
Very rarely do I see an actual full size neutral ran to the fire pump controller, usually it’s reduced down to an egc size, and as infinity said, it’s bonded to the enclosure just like a service. It is basically an additional service disconnect, but remotely located as per code. You do not need an egc because of that. What does the engineer show?
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Assuming these are really service conductors, the minimum size of the neutral would be per Table 250.102(C)(1).
 
infinity said:
So the fire pump controller is being used as a service switch? If so then the neutral is required to be brought to the service switch even if the fire pump doesn't require one. The neutral will be bonded and used to provide the starting point for all down stream EGC's.
Click to expand...
Got it. We are bonded at the switch gear. Wouldn't the neutrals be floating after? I can't see bonding again, right?
 
hillbilly1 said:
Very rarely do I see an actual full size neutral ran to the fire pump controller, usually it’s reduced down to an egc size, and as infinity said, it’s bonded to the enclosure just like a service. It is basically an additional service disconnect, but remotely located as per code. You do not need an egc because of that. What does the engineer show?
Click to expand...
Both. Some engineers show 4 conductor, while others show 3(No neutral), just grounding conductor. One of the EE's are incorrect.
 
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