Supplemental overcurrent protection

[jjoejones]

Does the following scenario comply with the NEC? Pole lights with heavy-duty lampholders are supplied from a 50-ampere rated branch-circuit consisting of #6 Cu wire. At each pole the wire gauge installed from the pole 'hand-hole' to the ballast is reduced to #10 Cu. Additionally, an in-line fuse rated at 30-amperes is provided at the point of attachment of the #10 to #6 conductors.

Please accompany any comments with a code reference.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

 

[websparky]

Re: Supplemental overcurrent protection

Here is a starting point.

NEC 2002 240.4 Protection of Conductors.
(E) Tap Conductors. Tap conductors shall be permitted to be protected against overcurrent in accordance with 210.19(A)(3) and (4), 240.5(B)(2), 240.21, 368.11, 368.12, and 430.53(D).


240.5 (B)(2)
Fixture Wire. Fixture wire shall be permitted to be tapped to the branch circuit conductor of a branch circuit of Article 210 in accordance with the following:
(1) 20-ampere circuits ? 18 AWG, up to 15 m (50 ft) of run length
(2) 20-ampere circuits ? 16 AWG, up to 30 m (100 ft) of run length
(3) 20-ampere circuits ? 14 AWG and larger
(4) 30-ampere circuits ? 14 AWG and larger
(5) 40-ampere circuits ? 12 AWG and larger
(6) 50-ampere circuits ? 12 AWG and larger

Hope this helps!
Dave