splicing neutrals or not

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slick 50

Senior Member
I was wondering what approach you guys like to take when upgrading a ITE push a matic panel to a new loadcenter. In a push a matic panel, all the grounds and neutrals are terminated on the very top of panel which can make a real hassle when switching over to a standard loadcenter. How do you splice all neutrals, grounds and hots, or do you J box them outside the panel and bring new wire in? Also, Have you ever had inspectors frown on splicing in the panel to lengthen the conductors? THANKS!
 
Also, Have you ever had inspectors frown on splicing in the panel to lengthen the conductors?

Inspectors may frown, but you are permitted to splice conductors in the panel provided there is adequate space. Take a look at 312.8 be sure to read the whole section and not just the first sentence.

Chris
 
I was wondering what approach you guys like to take when upgrading a ITE push a matic panel to a new loadcenter. In a push a matic panel, all the grounds and neutrals are terminated on the very top of panel which can make a real hassle when switching over to a standard loadcenter. How do you splice all neutrals, grounds and hots, or do you J box them outside the panel and bring new wire in? Also, Have you ever had inspectors frown on splicing in the panel to lengthen the conductors? THANKS!

As long you don't violate 75% fill he shouldn't have anything to frown about

312.8 Enclosures for Switches or Overcurrent Devices.
Enclosures for switches or overcurrent devices shall not be
used as junction boxes, auxiliary gutters, or raceways for conductors
feeding through or tapping off to other switches or
overcurrent devices, unless adequate space for this purpose is
provided
. The conductors shall not fill the wiring space at any
cross section to more than 40 percent of the cross-sectional
area of the space, and the conductors, splices, and taps shall
not fill the wiring space at any cross section to more than
75 percent of the cross-sectional area of that space.

Dang too slow again... I've got to stop looking up each word in the dickshunairee before posting
 
There is nothing wrong with splicing in the panel and it's nearly impossible to exceed the 75% fill. You could even tail off one neutral for two circuits on opposite phases.
 
O hate wirenuts in a new panel but....you do what you gotta do.

Moving the panel up will gain wire fed from above.
 
Many old time electricians think it says you cant splice. Just tell them to go back and read it again. Bad part is they become inspectors. Handle it nice way and ask for code number. Then while he is standing there read it to him and just grin when you get to the last part of it. He will then make some stupid coment and leave.
 
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