Which Nec Violation

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macrmac1

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Unfortunantly, a contractor was allowed to install a 600 VAC 400amp circuit breaker inside a master control panel. He fed the breaker from the bottom rather than the top. This was found by a Technician. Could have been a major injury. I need to know exactly which NEC code this has violated. thanks
 
Was this done as part of the manufacturing process, and was the item listed in the condition you describe? If so, the NEC would not apply. It does not address what manufacturers do internal to their equipment.

I should mention that I do not understand the hazard you are trying to describe. Are you saying that the only way to turn off this panel is to use a breaker that is location inside the panel, so that there will still be power on the line side of the breaker? Why should it matter if the breaker is fed from the bottom or the top?
 
If the breaker is not labeled "LINE" and "LOAD" it can be fed from either end.

Roger
 
macrmac1 said:
Unfortunantly, a contractor was allowed to install a 600 VAC 400amp circuit breaker inside a master control panel. He fed the breaker from the bottom rather than the top. This was found by a Technician. Could have been a major injury. I need to know exactly which NEC code this has violated. thanks
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From your brief description there is no NEC violation. Additional information would be helpful.

As it has been mentioned a circuit breaker can be fed from either the top or the bottom unless it specifically has Line and Load markings. However if the breaker is mounted vertically and it's not "OFF" when the handle is DOWN a violation may have occured.
 
If a person assumes all Breakers are going to be Top-fed and fails to test... all I can say is it is an accident waiting to happen.

Sometimes it is just not practical to Top-feed, in those rare cases I have installed very prominent labeling both inside and outside the cabinet.

Handle-down is always off...for me.
 
By itself, the situation you describe is not a code violation or a safety issue IMO.

If it bothers you, label it appropriately.
 
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Hello all, to me the line side of the breaker should always be opposite of the "off" location of the handle. Handle "on" is pointing to the line side. Handle "off" is pointing to the load side.
 
electromanj said:
Hello all, to me the line side of the breaker should always be opposite of the "off" location of the handle. Handle "on" is pointing to the line side. Handle "off" is pointing to the load side.
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So you have never connected a 'back fed breaker' either field or factory installed?

That is fine if you want to do that but do not expect that is always the case

Unless marked line and load breakers may be supplied in either direction.
 
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