Is this a 'tap'?

[e57]

So I have an old main panel I don't want to touch - yet? Customer is cash poor with baby due... But will be changed in near future.

Anyway, would you call this a tap?

All conductors are #2 cu THWN/THHN for the service and feeder conductors- 100A main in backfed old style CH breaker, with 3 other 20A circuits, and a 60' feeder off the lugs to another (new) sub on (E) feeder.

420.2 describes a tap as such:

Tap Conductors. As used in this article, a tap conductor is defined as a conductor, other than a service conductor, that has overcurrent protection ahead of its point of supply that exceeds the value permitted for similar conductors that are protected as described elsewhere in 240.4.

italics mine....

If the service conductors are 100A, so is the panel MCOP, and the feeder is rated for >100A, not <, how would this be a "TAP"?

Inpector wants an OCPD for the feeder alone. Calling into play the TAP rules.... If the feeder conductors were rated for 80A, I could see that....

What say you?

 

[mdshunk]

Just so I am clear, you have:

• an MLO panel
• as your service panel
• you have a backfed main installed, onto which the service conductors terminate
• you have a subfeed connected to the main lugs, leaving the panel

If the above is correct, then your feeder conductors already have overcurrent protection at 100 amps from the backfed main. Just because you are "tapping" that feeder does not mean that the tap rules come into play, as long as you tap it with 100 amp rated conductors.

If the tap rules really did come into play, every place a 20 amp branch circuit left the panel and split out at a receptacle or switch, you'd need more OCPD's. I think your inspector has it wrong.

 

[RUWired]

I would also think this is ok as long as the sub panel mains are rated for 100 amps as well.If they are less ,then it would be a tap.This is'nt any different than having a side by side panel with feed through lugs to make an 84 or 126 circuit panel board.
Rick

 

[infinity]

If the feeder is rated for 100 amps or greater and is protected by the main then this is not a tap. It's basically a splice. If the subpanel doesn't have main then it would need an ampacity of 100 amps or greater.