Properly protecting current carrying and ground conductors

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jgatzka

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Solar Department Manager
A question for you NEC gurus. Can a 600A rated meter main that contains only a 600A rated bolt switch with 600A fuses connect to a 200A AND a 400A distribution panel lets say 200' away as long as the distribution panels have main breakers so they can't overload the conductors with more than is allowable. I've been told the grounding conductors of the sub feeds must be rated to the 600A but what about the current carrying conductors? I know the better way to accomplish this is to provide another 600A distribution board with 200A and 400A feeder breakers but is there something that says I must?
 
Welcome to the forum.

I believe this falls under the "outside taps of unlimited length" rules, but they must still land on a single OCPD.

See: 240.21.(B)(5)
 
If you have only a meter socket at point A and then run 200' to the service disconnects at point B that is fine from an NEC standpoint. These would be service conductors, not feeders and the conductors would have to be outside of course. That said, not all POCOs will allow this as they want the service disconnect(s) close to the meter. So confirm with the POCO.
 
texie said:
These would be service conductors not feeders so tap rules don't apply.
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He said there is a 600 amp switch and 600 amp fuses at the meter....everything on the load side of the fuse switch combination would be a feeder.
 
LarryFine said:
Welcome to the forum.

I believe this falls under the "outside taps of unlimited length" rules, but they must still land on a single OCPD.

See: 240.21.(B)(5)
Click to expand...
Larry, looks like I meet all the rules of 240.21(B)(5) Thanks for the expertise! (y)
 
Where this would be most common would be where you have a service disconnect on a building or even a remote structure, pedestal, etc. that is primarily nothing but the disconnect, and feed multiple buildings from it. Most anywhere else you would have feeder tap with 10 or 25 foot limitations.
 
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