Service Conductors-Basic

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augie47

augie47

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Tennessee
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State Electrical Inspector (Retired)
Gentlemen, I hate to refer back to basic questions, but sometimes I find that, after many years in this, I have been wrong on something basic.
Another inspector was reviewing a questionable job and in the conversation we discussed MLO service panelboards. He advised that he required the amapcity of the service conductors to be as great as the panelboard rating (again MLO). As I read NEC, as long as your service consductors meet or exceed the calcuated load, the rating of the paneboard is of no consequence (as long as its greater).
So my 4 300's terminated on a 1600 amp MLO panel are legal (even though I don't like it) with a calculated load of 1100 amps.
(not a trick questuon--assuming all ambient and other factors are inline)
 
Thank You. There is so much misunderstaning sometimes I begin to question what I do know.
 
WA State has rule that I think it is a good idea.

If the service conductors have a lesser ampacity than the overcurrent protection or the equipment rating that they terminate in or on, an identification plate showing the ampacity of the conductors must be installed on the service equipment.
 
mistermudd said:
WA State has rule that I think it is a good idea.

If the service conductors have a lesser ampacity than the overcurrent protection or the equipment rating that they terminate in or on, an identification plate showing the ampacity of the conductors must be installed on the service equipment.
Click to expand...
And that enhances the safety of the installation... how? The electrons and the breakers don't really care what's written on a plaque. They only obey the laws of physics.
 
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