Tap from lugs

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bonding jumper

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I have an incomming 3 phase service serving a meter followed by a 100 amp panel, 60a main and 8 branch breakers. I would like to tap from the top of the main to a disconnect switch that will serve a rectifier followed by the existing dc 60a fuse and then 5hp elevator motor. I feel that it is ok if the main breaker lugs are rated for the current and wire sizes being tapped at that point, but I just wanted to check myself here. As well as listen to any suggestions of feeding the rectifier another way. Thanks in advance.
 
Re: Tap from lugs

Why don't you replace the 60A main with a 100A and install another breaker in the panel to feed your new circuit? You need to make sure that your service conductors are rated 100A.
steve
 
Re: Tap from lugs

Just stuffing another wire under the main lugs won't cut it. Lugs are generally rated for only one conductor. In the rare instance where a lug is rated for two conductors, the conductors must be of the same size.
Assuming your service conductors will handle the load, a CB for your additional load in the main panel is the way to go.
If you insist on tapping the service prior to the main, then you really should do it in a separate enclosure, using the proper tapping device. (taped split-bolts?, engine blocks?)
 
Re: Tap from lugs

Thanks for the help guys. My main panel contains 8 spaces all are currently being utilized. I have changed my design to take a tap from the cables feeding my panel and bypassing the tap rule by using the same wire size and type to feed my disconnect switch, which is within 10 feet anyways. If that is not possible by code, which I believe it is ok, then my second option would be to upsize the main circuit breaker to 100 amp and add lugs rated for the panel bus to the bottom of the bussbar and feed my disconnect switch by those means. Any other ideas or problems?

[ January 16, 2004, 02:09 PM: Message edited by: bonding jumper ]
 
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