Outside Taps of Unlimited Length

[main197]

240.21(B)(5) says that taps can be of unlimited length if the conductors are located outside of a building or a structure, except at the point of load termination, and meets four conditions. The handbook says it is somewhat similar to the installation of service conductors where conductors are fed from outside and into a building without limitations on tap conductor length.

My question is, what if it's the other way around? If a panel located inside a building is bus tapped and the conductors feed another panel located outside the building, can the conductors be of unlimited length (assuming it meets all four conditions)?

 

[xformer]

240.21(B)(5) says that taps can be of unlimited length if the conductors are located outside of a building or a structure, except at the point of load termination, and meets four conditions. The handbook says it is somewhat similar to the installation of service conductors where conductors are fed from outside and into a building without limitations on tap conductor length.

My question is, what if it's the other way around? If a panel located inside a building is bus tapped and the conductors feed another panel located outside the building, can the conductors be of unlimited length (assuming it meets all four conditions)?

IMHO, no.

 

[main197]

IMHO, the conductors you are referring to are now a feeder not service conductors.
Therefore they would fall under different rules. Assuming the Tap conductors are on the load side of the service disconnect.

Thanks for your response. You are right, they are feeder conductors. My question is if the tap conductors can be of unlimited length if the tap is inside a building and the tap conductors feed a panel located outside the building.

 

[xformer]

Thanks for your response. You are right, they are feeder conductors. My question is if the tap conductors can be of unlimited length if the tap is inside a building and the tap conductors feed a panel located outside the building.

Getting my fork ready to eat crow pie. Looking at Art. 225, I dont see any prohibition of doing that.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Thanks for your response. You are right, they are feeder conductors. My question is if the tap conductors can be of unlimited length if the tap is inside a building and the tap conductors feed a panel located outside the building.

The rule only permits the load termination to be inside. The supply side connection must be outside.

(5) Outside Taps of Unlimited Length.
Where the conductors are located outside of a building or structure, except at the point of load termination, and comply with all of the following conditions: ...

 

[electrofelon]

One work around would be to use full ampacity conductors till you get outside and then reduce the size in a box there.

Another would be to use one of the indoor tap rules to a disconnect on the outside, and then take her outside tap from there (granted it might not be a tap anymore).

 

[kwired]

The rule only permits the load termination to be inside. The supply side connection must be outside.

I agree that is what it says.

I could see some possibly allowing it if the tap were made in an enclosure at an exterior wall and pretty much immediately exited the structure.

 

[electrofelon]

I agree that is what it says.

I could see some possibly allowing it if the tap were made in an enclosure at an exterior wall and pretty much immediately exited the structure.

I thought about maybe using the provisions of 230.6 on the supply end, which are mentioned as being applicable for the load and, but of course you're going to still have the conductors in the switchboard or panel board or whatever, and the wording doesn't seem to allow any unlimited conductor inside. Kind of strange they allow some conductor inside at the load side but none on the line side.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

I thought about maybe using the provisions of 230.6 on the supply end, which are mentioned as being applicable for the load and, but of course you're going to still have the conductors in the switchboard or panel board or whatever, and the wording doesn't seem to allow any unlimited conductor inside. Kind of strange they allow some conductor inside at the load side but none on the line side.

Now is the time to try to make a change. The system will be open until early September for the submission of Public Inputs to make changes for the 2026 code.