Panel balancing

[k947]

I know why you need to have all of the branch circuits balanced on the panel and especially on the service entrance cables so that the grounded (neutral) conductor only carries the unbalance (so it is as low as possible).

I have been looking in the NEC (2008 & 2014) for the section that states this (as I thought it was in the code). Can anyone tell me what section the code states that the loads should be balanced ?

Thanks,

Kermit

 

[don_resqcapt19]

I don't think there is and the requirement in 220.61 for the neutral load is based on a 100% unbalance.

 

[petersonra]

I know why you need to have all of the branch circuits balanced on the panel and especially on the service entrance cables so that the grounded (neutral) conductor only carries the unbalance (so it is as low as possible).

I have been looking in the NEC (2008 & 2014) for the section that states this (as I thought it was in the code). Can anyone tell me what section the code states that the loads should be balanced ?

Thanks,

Kermit

It doesn't. This is a design consideration. In any case you cannot "balance" the loads by where you connect them because you have no control over what loads are on simultaneously. Best you can do is move them around so you get roughly the same calculated load on each phase so you get the maximum use out of the panelboard.

 

[k947]

Thanks for your help. I thought I was loosing my mind and couldn't find it. Thanks for your qucik responses.

Kermit