tap of panel bus

[Sierrasparky]

I have a customer who's prior electrician made a tap (using a plug on terminal block ) at a 200amp Meter main load center. The terminal block is only rated for 150amps. ( can't believe it is rated that high) there is no main breaker in the panel fed from the tap. I argue that it does not comply with the tap rules. I know the terminal block is a issue. How say you?

 

[Sierrasparky]

Adding a pic of the terminal block.

 

[ramsy]

prior electrician made a tap (using a plug on terminal block ) at a 200amp Meter main

2/0cu tap needs max 175A OCP standard size, per T240.6(A), except for:
* Dwelling feeders per 310.12(B)
* Inductive loads per Article 430, or engineering supervision for other inductors

 

[infinity]

The terminal block is only rated for 150amps. ( can't believe it is rated that high) there is no main breaker in the panel fed from the tap

If the tap rules apply then the tap conductors must terminate in an OCPD. The question is does the 150 amp rating of the bus plug device mean that the tap rules apply. Given that the 150 amp rating makes this the "weakest link" in the tap ampacity I would say that the tap rules do apply.

 

[Eddie702]

I would think it is a tap and if it terminates in a breaker not exceeding 150 amp in compliance with the tap rules it should be ok. I did this once when changing a service from 100-200. I left the existing 100 amp panel as a sub. Fed it the same way with the tap terminating on the 100 amp main took the bonding screw out of the sub and added a ground bar. New 200 A panel next to the existing.

 

[infinity]

I would think it is a tap and if it terminates in a breaker not exceeding 150 amp in compliance with the tap rules it should be ok.

I agree. The problem here is that the panel has no main breaker or OCPD after the tap.

 

[ramsy]

The problem here is that the panel has no main breaker or OCPD after the tap.

Also missing a feeder disconnect per 215.7

 

[infinity]

Also missing a feeder disconnect per 215.7

Why would you need a feeder disconnect for a tap?

 

[ramsy]

Why would you need a feeder disconnect for a tap?

215.7 requires it:
.. Switching devices in each tapped circuit shall have a pole in each ungrounded conductor.

 

[infinity]

215.7 requires it:
.. Switching devices in each tapped circuit shall have a pole in each ungrounded conductor.

Which is exactly what the main in the panel would be.

 

[jaggedben]

Since this is a meter main I assume it's the service equipment, and with no main breaker it seems to me this connection is an extension of service conductors. Thus the 'tap rules' (240.21(B)) do not apply. Not sure there's any issue with what we've been shown but there could be a 110.3(B) issue and there could be issues depending where and how those conductors end.