Line side OCP for Feeder Tap

[DPW]

My question are:
1)Does the distance from the line side OCP (overcurrent protection device) to the tap need to be included in the overall length of the tap (10ft, 25ft... limitations)?
2)If not, can the OCP device such as a MDP circuit breaker be remotely located from where the tap is made?

I have always thought that the line side OCP needed to be located in close proximity as to where the tap was made.

Any illustrations are appreciated.

REFERENCES
240.2 Definitions.
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.

240.21:
(2) Taps Not over 7.5 m (25 ft) Long. Where the length of the tap conductors does not exceed 7.5 m (25 ft) and the tap conductors comply with all the following:
(1) The ampacity of the tap conductors is not less than one-third of the rating of the overcurrent device protecting the feeder conductors.
(2) The tap conductors terminate in a single circuit breaker or a single set of fuses that limit the load to the ampacity of the tap conductors. This device shall be permitted to supply any number of additional overcurrent devices on its load side.
(3) The tap conductors are protected from physical damage by being enclosed in an approved raceway or by other approved means.

 

[jim dungar]

The tap length measurement, for 240.21, begins at the point where the overprotected/undersized conductor is connected to the properly protected/sized conductor.

 

[LarryFine]

1)Does the distance from the line side OCP (overcurrent protection device) to the tap need to be included in the overall length of the tap (10ft, 25ft... limitations)?

No. The tap length starts where the tap itself is made.

2)If not, can the OCP device such as a MDP circuit breaker be remotely located from where the tap is made?

Yes. The tap need not be made at the source of the tapped conductors.

I have always thought that the line side OCP needed to be located in close proximity as to where the tap was made.

No. Another way of saying that would be that the tap must be made close to the source's OCP.

Your own illustration is accurate.

 

[DPW]

TAP clarification

TAP clarification

A real world application for this inquiry is a rooftop air handler with a nonfused disconnect connected(tapped) to several motor VFDs (each VFD has its own OCP). The line side OCP would be located back in the main distribution panel (MDP).

Is this code compliant?

 

[LarryFine]

A real world application for this inquiry is a rooftop air handler with a nonfused disconnect connected(tapped) to several motor VFDs (each VFD has its own OCP). The line side OCP would be located back in the main distribution panel (MDP).

Is this code compliant?

Yess, as long as the tap rule that applies each tap is properly, well, applied.