Raceways/Wireways

[michael king]

Is it permissible to use the breaker panel, panelboard, as a means of a wireway? Adding an automatic transfer switch to a home and can pull new service entry wire in through conduit from meter can to breaker panel and pass through to the transfer switch to connect. I am not finding anything in the NEC that stated that I cannot, unless I'm not reading in the correct article.

 

[Carultch]

The term to look for, is pass-through conductors.

It is OK to use the vacant space within a panelboard's enclosure for passthrough conductors, provided that you label the enclosure to identify that this happens, and with instructions on how to find their disconnecting means. Not allowed for service conductors, but it is allowed for feeder and branch circuit conductors that are protected by a disconnecting means/OCPD.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Are you using the transfer switch as the service disconnect?
The pass through rule is in 312.8.
You will also have to pay attention to the rule in 230.7, however that rule does not prohibit passing service conductors through a panel enclosure as the enclosure is not a raceway.

 

[michael king]

Are you using the transfer switch as the service disconnect?
The pass through rule is in 312.8.
You will also have to pay attention to the rule in 230.7, however that rule does not prohibit passing service conductors through a panel enclosure as the enclosure is not a raceway.

Yes, the transfer switch will become the first means of disconnect, and it will be located right beside the existing breaker panel to the left. Moving all the grounding over to the transfer and all the goodies that our inspector is requesting.

 

[michael king]

The term to look for, is pass-through conductors.

It is OK to use the vacant space within a panelboard's enclosure for passthrough conductors, provided that you label the enclosure to identify that this happens, and with instructions on how to find their disconnecting means. Not allowed for service conductors, but it is allowed for feeder and branch circuit conductors that are protected by a disconnecting means/OCPD.

Can we label the breaker panel with a "sticker"? The transfer will be the first means of disconnect located right beside the existing panel to the left.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

So you are going from the meter to the panel to the transfer switch and back to the panel.
You can pass through the panel to feed the transfer switch, but the return from the transfer switch to the panel cannot be in the same raceway as the supply to the transfer switch.

 

[michael king]

So you are going from the meter to the panel to the transfer switch and back to the panel.
You can pass through the panel to feed the transfer switch, but the return from the transfer switch to the panel cannot be in the same raceway as the supply to the transfer switch.

Yes sir. We looked up the suggested codes and will be running the feeder in a different conduit for raceway. And only the grounding and bonding wires are permissible.

 

[michael king]

All you guys are great, and I greatly appreciate all the direction that I receive from this group. Cannot thank you guys enough.