Line Wires on the Bottom of the Breaker

[cm1031]

We have a Square D enclosure that has one 2000 amp breaker in it and that is the only thing in the enclsoure. Can the the line wires be connected to the bottom of the breaker and the load wires connected to the top of the breaker? Please provide where this is covered on the code.

 

[GoldDigger]

Look for markings of "Line" and "Load" or equivalent on the breaker.
If there is no distinction made between the two sets of terminals, you can feed from either end.


Tapatalk!

 

[jim dungar]

We have a Square D enclosure that has one 2000 amp breaker in it and that is the only thing in the enclsoure. Can the the line wires be connected to the bottom of the breaker and the load wires connected to the top of the breaker? Please provide where this is covered on the code.

It is not prohibited by code unless the breaker has specific indicators for Line Side and Load Side.
The 2000A breakers from Square D do not have any restriction for load side.
I would not be surprised to find that around 50% of main breakers in this size are 'bottom feed' installations (e.g. underground conduits).

 

[fmtjfw]

We have a Square D enclosure that has one 2000 amp breaker in it and that is the only thing in the enclsoure. Can the the line wires be connected to the bottom of the breaker and the load wires connected to the top of the breaker? Please provide where this is covered on the code.

NEC 2014

110.3 Examination, Identification, Installation, and Use of Equipment.
(B) Installation and Use.

Listed or labeled equipment shall be installed and used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling.

UL White Book 2013

CIRCUIT BREAKERS, MOLDED CASE AND CIRCUIT-BREAKER ENCLOSURES (DIVQ)

....
Line and load markings on a circuit breaker are intended to limit connections thereto as marked.

NEC is a permissive code, anything that is not prohibited is permitted, hence without "line" "load" markings, the feed to a breaker can be either top or bottom.

 

[petersonra]

We have a Square D enclosure that has one 2000 amp breaker in it and that is the only thing in the enclsoure. Can the the line wires be connected to the bottom of the breaker and the load wires connected to the top of the breaker? Please provide where this is covered on the code.

Most MCCB above a certain size (somewhere around 150A frame) can be purchased as suitable for being reverse fed.

It appears to me that the only difference between a normal MCCB and one that is suitable for being reverse fed is that there are no line and load markings and the trip unit is not readily changed.