Relays in panelboard?

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olc

Senior Member
Quick question (I hope):
Can control relays be installed in the gutter space of a load center? (residential load center)
120V or 24V assuming wiring all rated.
 
366.12 Uses Not Permitted. Auxiliary gutters shall not be
used:
(1) To enclose switches, overcurrent devices, appliances, or
other similar equipment
Click to expand...

It does not seem to me that a relay is "similar" equipment, but YMMV.
 
312.8 Switch and Overcurrent Device Enclosures. The wiring
space within enclosures for switches and overcurrent devices
shall be permitted for other wiring and equipment subject to
limitations for specific equipment as provided in (A) and (B)
(A) Splices, Taps, and Feed-Through Conductors.
***
(B) Power Monitoring Equipment.
Click to expand...

It does not seem to me that a relay meets the requirements of (A) or (B). However the way this is worded it is not clear to me that you are restricted to locating conductors and power monitoring equipment. It could be read that if you are putting in conductors or power monitoring equipment you are limited to 75% of the cross sectional area of the wiring space. It does not see to explicitly ban other things in the space.
 
olc said:
assuming wiring all rated
Click to expand...

Another problem is that the 24V wiring can't be in there. This is the same situation as locating a bell transformer in the panel.

Get one of those RIBs that mounts through a KO with the line voltage wiring. That keeps the line voltage inside the panel and your LV outside.

-Hal
 
hbiss said:
Another problem is that the 24V wiring can't be in there. This is the same situation as locating a bell transformer in the panel.

Get one of those RIBs that mounts through a KO with the line voltage wiring. That keeps the line voltage inside the panel and your LV outside.

-Hal
Click to expand...
just because it is 24V does not make it a class 2 circuit that has to be separate.
 
hbiss said:
Get one of those RIBs that mounts through a KO with the line voltage wiring. That keeps the line voltage inside the panel and your LV outside.
Click to expand...
Actually, RIBs come with all conductors routed through the threaded boss.
 
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