Sub Panel Sizing - Article 215 vs. Article 220

[ADawg]

I recently had an inspector refuse to issue an occupancy permit due to us using article 220 to size the sub panels in a residence. He said that sub panels need to be sized based on the connected load, per article 215. He went further by saying that the connected load (continuous OR non-continuous) cannot exceed 80% of the panel's rating.
I have always used article 220 to size sub panels in commercial and residential buildings, and have not had a problem.

 

[infinity]

He went further by saying that the connected load (continuous OR non-continuous) cannot exceed 80% of the panel's rating

He is incorrect. You use Article 220 to size the feeder to a sub-panel. Once you have a calculated load then that can be used to size the feeder. That is the minimum size required and the 80% factor no longer applies.

 

[jaggedben]

I've always thought the code should spell this out more clearly, but ask the inspector how you are supposed to determine the continuous and non-continuous load without using Article 220? Also if you happen to be using an optional method, 220.80's 'shall be permitted' is pretty clear.

Also he is just wrong wrong wrong about the 80% for non-continuous load.