NEC 230.3 - Service Feeders Routed Thru BLDG

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pgonski

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NEC article 230.3 states that service conductors supplying a building or other structure shall not pass thru the interior of another building or structure.

I know the NEC definition of a structure is pretty vague, but can you route a service feeder from the outdoor substation, through a building, and then down into a lineup of outdoor NEMA 3R switchgear?

I know the big reason for this article is likely to guard against penetrating building fire walls, but is this still the case if going thru a standalone building to a piece of gear that is outside?

Thanks
 
The main reason for this requirement is that service conductors have limited overcurrent protection. Normally the only overcurrent protection for these conductors are on the primary side of the utility transformer. So a short could cause a fire before the overcurrent protection trips the power off.

So what you are describing would be a violation.

Once the service conductors hit a correctly sized fuse or circuit breaker, then they become feeders, and then they can pass through a building.
 
This would be a service entrance. Routed from transformer secondary fused disconnect-utility owned , to customer owned switchgear
 
pgonski said:
This would be a service entrance. Routed from transformer secondary fused disconnect-utility owned , to customer owned switchgear
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As Steve said, it is a violation, see 230.70(A)(1) and 230.6

Roger
 
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