Splices in panel

[Brandon Loyd]

Am I correct that it is ok to splice in branch panels and distribution panels, as long as you dont exceed the wire fill of that panel? Is it just frowned upon? How do I find out if I am exceeding the crosssectional area of the panel?

 

[billyzee]

splice

splice

Article 312.8 allows you to splice in enclosures for overcurrent devices. Article 408.2 gets you there. You just can't fill the cross sectional area more than 75%.

 

[Brandon Loyd]

Article 312.8 allows you to splice in enclosures for overcurrent devices. Article 408.2 gets you there. You just can't fill the cross sectional area more than 75%.

How do I find out if I've exceeded 75%?

 

[LarryFine]

How do I find out if I've exceeded 75%?

Considering that wire and wirenuts are round, it would be almost impossible to do so. You're golden.

 

[billyzee]

cross section

cross section

You have to do the infamous fill calc. Which means pick the worst case location in you panel board.

1.) determine the cross sectional area of the space allocated for wire runs.
2.) count all the conductors that pass through this worst case area. You need each conductor and it's size.
3.) determine the cross sectional area of the splices that are also in the selected worst case area.

Then you just add up all the areas and make sure they are not greater than 75% of the total. The NEC handbook has a little example.

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

Very few panels will ever get that full. Are a lot of old timers that read the first part and stop.