Tapping off light fixture to supply fixtures on either side

[distriser]

A row of exterior, pole-mounted light fixtures are supplied by the same single-phase branch circuit. The center fixture is wired directly to the electrical panel, and the fixtures on either side are supplied by conductors that tap off this center fixture. The conduit topology can be thought of as a 'T', where the vertical portion represents the connection between panel and center fixture. A cross-section of any of the conduits will always reveal (1) ground, (1) neutral, and (1) hot. Question is: where does NEC indicate this is permissible? 210.19(A)(4) doesn't seem to address it. Is it explicitly prohibited somewhere?

 

[jumper]

I am a bit dense this morning, nothing new.

What is the problem you see with this install?

 

[david]

You indicate that there is a tap, I think this needs clarification is the branch circuit being taped or is the branch circuit being spliced at the center light fixture

 

[jumper]

You indicate that there is a tap, I think this needs clarification is the branch circuit being taped or is the branch circuit being spliced at the center light fixture

Good call, I saw "tapped" and thought "spliced".

 

[distriser]

Looks like splice is the correct term, as the conductors in each conduit are the same size and are all protected by the same overcurrent device (in the electrical panel).

 

[david]

The hand-hole required at the light pole is designed to allow access to the splice being made at the pole, from what you posted, I do not know of a violation.

 

[distriser]

Makes sense, thanks for your help.

 

[electricalist]

When this is done from what I've seen . the distance to start at the panel and then to the first light and continue to the last would in some cases leads to a voltage drop problem.