Splicing Up To over-rated conductors

[erbsnack]

I have a 2000 amp rated panel, which I am downgrading to an 800 amp feed. I am bringing 2 sets of 500 mcm conductors to it, but the final 50’ I have existing 600MCM’s already running to the panel and terminated. Do y’all think it’s bad form to splice the 500’s to the 600’s, (which would be rated for an 840 amp load), and have 500’s leave the source and arrive at the panel as 600’s? I’m sure it’s legal and safe, but what about assumptions that could be made if someone comes up to it and assumes it can handle a greater load?
Thoughts?

 

[LarryFine]

It's a non-issue. A competent electrician would be able to figure it out. Nobody will roll up the OCPD at one end of a feeder without knowing what is at the other end.

 

[infinity]

Code compliant if the calculated load is 760 amps or less.

 

[oldsparky52]

I'm curious to how this came up? The panel is existing in place? Why are you downgrading?

I know, curiosity killed the cat (but ... satisfaction brought it back).

 

[Knuckle Dragger]

I would clearly label what you did. If you are concerned about the the next electrician.

 

[erbsnack]

I'm curious to how this came up? The panel is existing in place? Why are you downgrading?

I know, curiosity killed the cat (but ... satisfaction brought it back).

The planned location for most of the load was moved, and it’s more cost effective to transfer a majority of the feeders to the new location, but leave the original panel in place, which is serving a smaller load and needs to be maintained.

 

[kwired]

I have a 2000 amp rated panel, which I am downgrading to an 800 amp feed. I am bringing 2 sets of 500 mcm conductors to it, but the final 50’ I have existing 600MCM’s already running to the panel and terminated. Do y’all think it’s bad form to splice the 500’s to the 600’s, (which would be rated for an 840 amp load), and have 500’s leave the source and arrive at the panel as 600’s? I’m sure it’s legal and safe, but what about assumptions that could be made if someone comes up to it and assumes it can handle a greater load?
Thoughts?

I agree with Infinity, you only have 760 amps of conductor if you have parallel 500's.

Even if you had 600's the entire run, you still have an 800 amp OCPD don't you?

Maybe in some cases you could have ran even more conductor for voltage drop reasons but never made any notation that this is limited to 800 amps.

 

[oldsparky52]

The planned location for most of the load was moved, and it’s more cost effective to transfer a majority of the feeders to the new location, but leave the original panel in place, which is serving a smaller load and needs to be maintained.

Thank you.