Parallel Feeders

Status
Not open for further replies.

KMark5710

Member
On a renovation project where we are feeding a new panel from an existing panel. The new panel is 300 feet away. Due to voltage drop we needed to double the feeder size. Was going to install dual lugs on a new breaker in the existing panel, but it will not fit in the existing panel. Is it legal to set a junction box beside the existing panel and splice the parallel feeders together and then connect to the new breaker? Was thinking about using some ilsco terminal blocks for the splice. Want it to be neat installation. Looking for options other than replacing the existing panel. Thanks
 
On a renovation project where we are feeding a new panel from an existing panel. The new panel is 300 feet away. Due to voltage drop we needed to double the feeder size. Was going to install dual lugs on a new breaker in the existing panel, but it will not fit in the existing panel. Is it legal to set a junction box beside the existing panel and splice the parallel feeders together and then connect to the new breaker? Was thinking about using some ilsco terminal blocks for the splice. Want it to be neat installation. Looking for options other than replacing the existing panel. Thanks
Your idea is fine and you could actually make the splices in the panel if there is room, see 312.8

Roger
 
It sounds like OP is saying that the new load panel will be OK.
Could be, point was the increased conductor size for voltage drop is not required to be increased for the entire run of the circuit, whether it be simply larger conductor or parallel conductors as the method to increase the conductor size.
 
The service is 600A and existing peak load less than 150A. We are adding approximately 150A. Thanks everyone.
Now you opened a new can of worms.

Is the existing service 600 amps, but you are adding a feeder 300 feet long with a load of 150 amps?

Next comes what voltage and is it single or three phase? 300 feet @ 480 volt three phase may require little or no increase over minimum allowed conductor size and still maintain a reasonable voltage drop, but you could see a significant increase in needed conductor size for a 120 volt circuit of that length.
 
Could be, point was the increased conductor size for voltage drop is not required to be increased for the entire run of the circuit, whether it be simply larger conductor or parallel conductors as the method to increase the conductor size.

As long as every section along the length has the required ampacity assuming length isn't a factor, and as long as all paralleled portions are equal in the ways we know are required, as well as uniformly spliced onto the non-parallel portion, you are good to go with paralleling and increasing for voltage drop as you see fit.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top