Service & branch conducors

[Dbronx]

200 amp service conductors and the 15 amp brabch circuits share the same 24 X 24 junction box. I know this is illegal but I can't find the code artical.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

article 230.7

 

[Dbronx]

I'm trying to explain to my apprentice why, but can't come up with the right words, can you explain why this is not exceptible.

 

[jumper]

I was always told because service conductors are unfused.

 

[Dbronx]

That was my explanation, the 200 amps could energize a # 12 conductor and that wire and the equipment connected to that circuit could not handle that many amps.

 

[iwire]

To be clear, a 20 amp circuit can be in the same raceway or enclosure as 200 amp feeder.

The only rule is that service conductors cannot share a raceway with any other conductors.

They can however be in the same junction box which is what the question is about.

 

[jumper]

That was my explanation, the 200 amps could energize a # 12 conductor and that wire and the equipment connected to that circuit could not handle that many amps.

If the service conductors energize a branch circuit, it could easily be more than 200A. Your only OCPD is the POCO line fuse.

 

[Strathead]

I am with iwire on this one. 230.7 does not prohibit them sharing the same box. A typical installation that usually is a result of poor planning but not that uncommon is a multiple meter service fed from gutter above the meters. Then a service is added that requires an overhead feed, but the gutter is in the way. Go through the gutter.