electrofelon
Senior Member
- Location
- Cherry Valley NY, Seattle, WA
Logically there is a reason to limit the length of a tap, but I doubt there is science and testing that pointed to 10 feet instead of 12 feet.
Re identification of neutral wire
- Thread starter Djelite
- Start date
- Status
- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
What makes you say this?
- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
No capacity based science there, just some rules.
- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
That's how we know what size wire to use. Still don't see any ratind capacity based science, just some calculations we have to do to be NEC compliant.
electrofelon
Senior Member
- Location
- Cherry Valley NY, Seattle, WA
I don't think there is anything to calculate. The Taps are kept short so they are less likely to suffer physical damage. Short length may result in quicker clearing time and less conductor heating during a fault, but I don't think that is a significant factor in the range of 10's of feet. It's much more about keeping a fault from happening at all. The 1/3 and 1/10th values might be based on some conductor heating and fault current handling ability.
electrofelon
Senior Member
- Location
- Cherry Valley NY, Seattle, WA
Can you show us the math that says why 15 foot taps would be less safe?
readydave8
re member
- Location
- Clarkesville, Georgia
- Occupation
- electrician
is only wrong if taken out of context, neutral and white are not interchangeable words
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
This is more than likely the case. Outside taps can be of unlimited length.
Ok have a nice day
electrofelon
Senior Member
- Location
- Cherry Valley NY, Seattle, WA
Believe me, I complain all the time about the NEC coming up with requirements that are not based on statistics nor a history of problems. But I also realize there is just not going to be data on some of these things and the code writers had to draw the line somewhere and essentially guess.
electrofelon
Senior Member
- Location
- Cherry Valley NY, Seattle, WA
You too! Happy sundae
And find but these books that explain the nec should explain this and not just make a statement
K8MHZ
Senior Member
- Occupation
- Electrician
It's already too big. Explained or not, rules are going to be rules. I don't need an explanation for every rule in a 1000+ page book of rules. Obfuscation would make the already difficult to maneuver book just about impossible.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
It seems like you have all the answers but I promise you, you don't. There are reason for many things in the code and because we may not know what they are doesn't mean that there is no reason. I agree the white wire rule is strange but it may have been put there for some reason years ago and now it remains.
If you think all the nec stuff is bogus then I invite you to come up with some substantiated changes and make comments to the nfpa for the next code cycle.
We all can complain about some of the rules and sometimes it does seem ridiculous but there is only one way to deal with it and that is to make a code change which anyone is welcome to propose.
I dont have all the answers thats why i asked the question. I never said the nec is bogus so re read my post and understand what you are reading before putting words in my mouth. I’ll like to know if im doing something what was the train of thought they had to reach this conclusion so i can understand why things are one way as oppose to another. I dont care what rules the nec comes up with, i really dont. Their job is to make the rules mine is to install as per those rules...... that doesnt mean i can ask why. The problem with the electrical industry is people dont know the WHY. This industry is an industry of installers not electricians we will never be better if we dont ask why
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