theophilus
Member
- Location
- West Virginia
Hi there,
I've been doing electrical work for a while now. I must admit, I've never liked the thought of feeder taps. I don't like the fact that they aren't protected from a primary source. After reading some of the older posts here though, it seems if done properly, they can fall within code guidelines. Now, I am by far no master of the code. However, I do want what I do to be right and I am working on increasing my code knowledge. Without further adieu here is what I'm faced with.
This is an old single story school building, block mostly with a wooden frame roof. Old fiber tile ceiling with newer drop ceiling installed below. Converting to office space for several computer stations. We were called in to run more receptacles for the computer cubicles.
200 amp overhead service drop 120/240v 1ph which comes into a 200a fused switch type disconnect.
From the load side of this disconnect, from large lugs they are feeding:
From what I've read around 240.21, the 1st and 2nd listing may be alright. They are in the same electrical room and not more than 10' away in conduit.
Now the 3rd listing travels, in conduit, between the two ceilings and penetrates three of the block walls. This one seems in violation.
This building uses a gas boiler/radiator system for heat. Gas for the water heater as well. There is no real large loads on the building.
Would you guys leave this service alone, just fixing the 3rd listing? Or would you upgrade the whole thing?
I would like to see the service size increased for potential use/expansion of more of the old classrooms for office spaces.
This is what I am proposing. To install a 400A meter with the two built in disconnects and install (2) 200A breaker boxes inside this electrical room. One will replace the 2nd listing totally and re-feed the 3rd listing from a rated breaker. The other 200Amp breaker box will re-feed the 1st listing.
I also am not wild about the fact they have a 40 space main lug panel being backfed with a 125A snap in breaker. Is this something you guys would change? I've pondered changing this out to a 100A 20sp main breaker panel, thereby decreasing the potential and/or temptation for overload. All the while still protected from a branch breaker in my new system or protected from a fused disconnect from a feeder tap of the old system.
Thanks for any insight. I have been wrestling with this for a few days as to change it or just correct it. I've been leaning towards replacing it myself. Based on the sq ft calc for lighting and rec loads the 200A is too small. The 400A would cover it, merely based on that calc. The more I type the more I'm talking myself into it.
Again, thanks for any advice.
I've been doing electrical work for a while now. I must admit, I've never liked the thought of feeder taps. I don't like the fact that they aren't protected from a primary source. After reading some of the older posts here though, it seems if done properly, they can fall within code guidelines. Now, I am by far no master of the code. However, I do want what I do to be right and I am working on increasing my code knowledge. Without further adieu here is what I'm faced with.
This is an old single story school building, block mostly with a wooden frame roof. Old fiber tile ceiling with newer drop ceiling installed below. Converting to office space for several computer stations. We were called in to run more receptacles for the computer cubicles.
200 amp overhead service drop 120/240v 1ph which comes into a 200a fused switch type disconnect.
From the load side of this disconnect, from large lugs they are feeding:
- a 100A fused disconnect which is feeding a main lug 100A 20sp breaker box (within 10')
- a 125A Main breaker panel 20sp (within 10')
- a 125A backfed breaker in a 200amp main lug GE panel (probably 85' away and going through 3 block walls, in conduit)
From what I've read around 240.21, the 1st and 2nd listing may be alright. They are in the same electrical room and not more than 10' away in conduit.
Now the 3rd listing travels, in conduit, between the two ceilings and penetrates three of the block walls. This one seems in violation.
This building uses a gas boiler/radiator system for heat. Gas for the water heater as well. There is no real large loads on the building.
Would you guys leave this service alone, just fixing the 3rd listing? Or would you upgrade the whole thing?
I would like to see the service size increased for potential use/expansion of more of the old classrooms for office spaces.
This is what I am proposing. To install a 400A meter with the two built in disconnects and install (2) 200A breaker boxes inside this electrical room. One will replace the 2nd listing totally and re-feed the 3rd listing from a rated breaker. The other 200Amp breaker box will re-feed the 1st listing.
I also am not wild about the fact they have a 40 space main lug panel being backfed with a 125A snap in breaker. Is this something you guys would change? I've pondered changing this out to a 100A 20sp main breaker panel, thereby decreasing the potential and/or temptation for overload. All the while still protected from a branch breaker in my new system or protected from a fused disconnect from a feeder tap of the old system.
Thanks for any insight. I have been wrestling with this for a few days as to change it or just correct it. I've been leaning towards replacing it myself. Based on the sq ft calc for lighting and rec loads the 200A is too small. The 400A would cover it, merely based on that calc. The more I type the more I'm talking myself into it.
Again, thanks for any advice.
