Tap Rule

[dennis burke]

I have a question about the 'Tap Rule',240.21(b)(1). My boss instructed me to install one disconnect and two contactors all within a five foot space. From the 60 amp fused disconnect, I was to run 6 awg wire 3' into the duct and then splice two 8awg and one 12awg wires to feed the two contactors. My boss said the tap rule makes this OK and thn went on vacation.
I was worried about the overcurrent protection of the 12awg wire so I added another disconnect fused 20 amp and reduced the fuses on the first diconnect to 40 and wired according to code.
I looked up the tap rule with my coworkers and we could not decide if the tap rule applied; specifically 240.21(b)(1)(1).
The computed loads are 20 and 40 amps per the instruction manual.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Re: Tap Rule

Dennis,
All the tap rule really does is to move the OCPD from the supply end of the tap conductor to the load end. If there were no OCPDs at the contactors, you can't use the tap rule. If there were 40 and 20 amp OCPDs at the contactor, the installation was ok.
Don

 

[dennis burke]

Re: Tap Rule

Thank you Don for simpilying the tap rule for me. There was no OCPD ont the contactors so I did the right thing.