Residential Service Box Question

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Robert11

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Hello,

Have two questions, please, which are a bit outside of my area of expertise, as it involves a residential house wiring question. I'm more into circuitry, etc.

Have searched the code book, and various others, but cannot find an answer to this, although I'm sure that it is addressed in them, somewhere.

a. Just had a new residential service box installed.

The Electrician was very hard to talk to, or discuss this with.

The two heavy phase wires from the outside meter were led into the box,
where, for convenience, or they were just a bit too short, he spliced in
about another 6" or so of wire using a short block with two screws type of
connector.

He then just taped over this connector block (which "floats" along with these
two lead in wires until secured at the main breaker)

Is this use of a connector block splice for the two lead in wires from the outside meter for this purpose "legal" per the NEC code ?

Is just "taping" over it legal ?

I guess that the main question would be are splices on these lead in wires allowed, at all ?

b. curious about 1/2" breakers:

The new box is a GE Powermark Gold Model TLM 2412 CCU (TLM 24 BC)
The box is rated for a 125 amp main breaker, and has spaces for 24 1"
breakers.

According to the GE info on their site, and the paperwork that came with the
box, the box does not allow for any 1/2" breakers.

Is this simply a case of some model boxes do, and some don't ?

Or, for technical reasons, they are getting away from using 1/2" breakers
anywhere, anymore ? If so, why ?

It always seemed like a viable approach if one needed another circuit or
two, assuming the capacity of the box was not exceeded.

Thanks,
B.
 
Robert11 said:
a. Just had a new residential service box installed.

The Electrician was very hard to talk to, or discuss this with.

Now thats just hard to believe. :grin:



Is this use of a connector block splice for the two lead in wires from the outside meter for this purpose "legal" per the NEC code ?

I am assuming it was a correctly chosen splicer reducer like this..

SPA.gif


...if it was then yes it is legal.

Is just "taping" over it legal ?

If enough tape was used then again yes, the tape has to be at least as think as the insulation on the conductors it replaces.


I guess that the main question would be are splices on these lead in wires allowed, at all ?

Yes, specifically by 230.46

Now that said in my opinion it is very poor form to be splicing the conductors on a new service. When I have cut them short I have replaced them.



b. curious about 1/2" breakers:

The new box is a GE Powermark Gold Model TLM 2412 CCU (TLM 24 BC)
The box is rated for a 125 amp main breaker, and has spaces for 24 1"
breakers.

According to the GE info on their site, and the paperwork that came with the
box, the box does not allow for any 1/2" breakers.

Is this simply a case of some model boxes do, and some don't ?

Yes. It just has to do with the listing of the panel, it was not tested for use with mini breakers.

Or, for technical reasons, they are getting away from using 1/2" breakers
anywhere, anymore ?

No, not that I have heard, you can still buy a panelboard called a 20/40 that allows the use of 20 full size or 40 half size breakers.
 
From OP To iWire

From OP To iWire

Hi,

Just a quick thanks for taking the time to answer my question.
Just the info. I was looking for.

Feel a lot better about it now knowing that it is a "legal" approach.

Again, thank you very much.

Bob
 
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