Is this 6 circuits inside a Raceway that calls for 50% deratement?












1















Here is pic of the 3 panels. The third right most is a 2nd disconnect (150A going to the 125A main breaker at main panel at middle with 38mm^2 wire). I will need to downgrade the 150A breaker in 3rd stand alone panel as during overload, the 38mm^2 would melt first before the breaker trips. We have these mismatches because in the Philippines, all contractors apply at city hall using simple fake electrical plans (in the plan it's only 22mm^2 main feeder used and no aircons), then after permit released, the contractors change all details and since there is no inspection, they always get away with it).



enter image description here



This is permanent as I won't put any raceway so no problem about S bends, etc. isn't it? We never have inspection.



This is all covered in normal usage:



enter image description here



consider the following connections:



enter image description here



The above subpanel is connected to the right main panel only 3 inches away:



enter image description here



Do you consider it as 6 circuits inside a Raceway? Is it not a Raceway is when there is a PVC tube (with wires inside it). But when they just converge into an opening and diverse again. Then it is not technically called a Raceway right?










share|improve this question

























  • What country is this in?

    – JPhi1618
    Feb 1 at 5:27











  • Philippines. We don't have any inspections at home. In fact, if inspectors would enter our homes, they could be jailed for illegal entry. Also contractors used false applications like half the load and breaker and wire current to quickly get permit then they install anything they deem appropriate.

    – Jtl
    Feb 1 at 5:28
















1















Here is pic of the 3 panels. The third right most is a 2nd disconnect (150A going to the 125A main breaker at main panel at middle with 38mm^2 wire). I will need to downgrade the 150A breaker in 3rd stand alone panel as during overload, the 38mm^2 would melt first before the breaker trips. We have these mismatches because in the Philippines, all contractors apply at city hall using simple fake electrical plans (in the plan it's only 22mm^2 main feeder used and no aircons), then after permit released, the contractors change all details and since there is no inspection, they always get away with it).



enter image description here



This is permanent as I won't put any raceway so no problem about S bends, etc. isn't it? We never have inspection.



This is all covered in normal usage:



enter image description here



consider the following connections:



enter image description here



The above subpanel is connected to the right main panel only 3 inches away:



enter image description here



Do you consider it as 6 circuits inside a Raceway? Is it not a Raceway is when there is a PVC tube (with wires inside it). But when they just converge into an opening and diverse again. Then it is not technically called a Raceway right?










share|improve this question

























  • What country is this in?

    – JPhi1618
    Feb 1 at 5:27











  • Philippines. We don't have any inspections at home. In fact, if inspectors would enter our homes, they could be jailed for illegal entry. Also contractors used false applications like half the load and breaker and wire current to quickly get permit then they install anything they deem appropriate.

    – Jtl
    Feb 1 at 5:28














1












1








1








Here is pic of the 3 panels. The third right most is a 2nd disconnect (150A going to the 125A main breaker at main panel at middle with 38mm^2 wire). I will need to downgrade the 150A breaker in 3rd stand alone panel as during overload, the 38mm^2 would melt first before the breaker trips. We have these mismatches because in the Philippines, all contractors apply at city hall using simple fake electrical plans (in the plan it's only 22mm^2 main feeder used and no aircons), then after permit released, the contractors change all details and since there is no inspection, they always get away with it).



enter image description here



This is permanent as I won't put any raceway so no problem about S bends, etc. isn't it? We never have inspection.



This is all covered in normal usage:



enter image description here



consider the following connections:



enter image description here



The above subpanel is connected to the right main panel only 3 inches away:



enter image description here



Do you consider it as 6 circuits inside a Raceway? Is it not a Raceway is when there is a PVC tube (with wires inside it). But when they just converge into an opening and diverse again. Then it is not technically called a Raceway right?










share|improve this question
















Here is pic of the 3 panels. The third right most is a 2nd disconnect (150A going to the 125A main breaker at main panel at middle with 38mm^2 wire). I will need to downgrade the 150A breaker in 3rd stand alone panel as during overload, the 38mm^2 would melt first before the breaker trips. We have these mismatches because in the Philippines, all contractors apply at city hall using simple fake electrical plans (in the plan it's only 22mm^2 main feeder used and no aircons), then after permit released, the contractors change all details and since there is no inspection, they always get away with it).



enter image description here



This is permanent as I won't put any raceway so no problem about S bends, etc. isn't it? We never have inspection.



This is all covered in normal usage:



enter image description here



consider the following connections:



enter image description here



The above subpanel is connected to the right main panel only 3 inches away:



enter image description here



Do you consider it as 6 circuits inside a Raceway? Is it not a Raceway is when there is a PVC tube (with wires inside it). But when they just converge into an opening and diverse again. Then it is not technically called a Raceway right?







electrical electrical-panel






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Feb 1 at 1:42







Jtl

















asked Feb 1 at 0:13









JtlJtl

1589




1589













  • What country is this in?

    – JPhi1618
    Feb 1 at 5:27











  • Philippines. We don't have any inspections at home. In fact, if inspectors would enter our homes, they could be jailed for illegal entry. Also contractors used false applications like half the load and breaker and wire current to quickly get permit then they install anything they deem appropriate.

    – Jtl
    Feb 1 at 5:28



















  • What country is this in?

    – JPhi1618
    Feb 1 at 5:27











  • Philippines. We don't have any inspections at home. In fact, if inspectors would enter our homes, they could be jailed for illegal entry. Also contractors used false applications like half the load and breaker and wire current to quickly get permit then they install anything they deem appropriate.

    – Jtl
    Feb 1 at 5:28

















What country is this in?

– JPhi1618
Feb 1 at 5:27





What country is this in?

– JPhi1618
Feb 1 at 5:27













Philippines. We don't have any inspections at home. In fact, if inspectors would enter our homes, they could be jailed for illegal entry. Also contractors used false applications like half the load and breaker and wire current to quickly get permit then they install anything they deem appropriate.

– Jtl
Feb 1 at 5:28





Philippines. We don't have any inspections at home. In fact, if inspectors would enter our homes, they could be jailed for illegal entry. Also contractors used false applications like half the load and breaker and wire current to quickly get permit then they install anything they deem appropriate.

– Jtl
Feb 1 at 5:28










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















2














The NEC doesn't impose a derate until you get to 24"



NEC 310.15(B)(3)(a) (essentially replicated for you in PEC 3.10.1.15(b)(2)) does not impose any derating factors for raceways (nipples, really) shorter than 600mm (24"), such as yours:




(a) More than Three Current-Carrying Conductors. Where the
number of current-carrying conductors in a raceway or cable
exceeds three, or where single conductors or multiconductor
cables are installed without maintaining spacing for a continuous length longer than 600 mm (24 in.) and are not installed
in raceways, the allowable ampacity of each conductor shall be
reduced as shown in Table 310.15(B)(3)(a). Each current-carrying conductor of a paralleled set of conductors shall be
counted as a current-carrying conductor.




So, you do not need to worry about this derate for your application, since the raceway routing would need to be quite convoluted to exceed 24".



However, you have two problems here



First off, the normal sequence of events is that the raceway is installed first and wires then pulled through it -- this avoids causing inordinate damage to wire insulation by gouging it with the ends of raceway sections or the edges of boxes. You'll need to very carefully pull the wires back inside the subpanel box for now until you have the raceway installed.



Furthermore, and more importantly, you have a problem here -- surface mounting the subpanel put you in a situation where the raceway needs to make an offset bend ("dog leg" or "S-bend") to get from a knockout in one panel to a knockout in the other. This is especially troublesome for you for two reasons:




  1. Conduit bends have a quite wide radius, especially for fat conduit like the 3" you are using

  2. Conduit bodies (including L bodies and pull elbows) must be openable without removing finish materials, just like you cannot drywall over a junction box


Furthermore, that giant 3" nipple is going to cause issues if you flush-mount the subpanel (due to the fact that it will split any stud in the way clean in half). The idea of bringing it in via the front of the main panel doesn't work either, because that'd cause merry heck if the main panel's deadfront had to be removed later for servicing (in fact, I'd call it a violation of NEC 314.22's Exception).






share|improve this answer
























  • Please see new edited post picture of entire panels. It is permanent installation in that I won't add any raceway so there is no S bend problem, right?

    – Jtl
    Feb 1 at 1:18






  • 1





    @Jtl -- can't do that -- individual wires must be part of a Chapter 3 wiring method, so that means "in a raceway" for all practical purposes

    – ThreePhaseEel
    Feb 1 at 1:51











  • What would happen if they are not put in a raceway? See above more edited post where all covers are closed. So the cabinet can be said to be the main panel itself.

    – Jtl
    Feb 1 at 1:54






  • 1





    @Jtl -- the raceway performs the role of a cable jacket in protecting the individual wires' insulation from external sources of physical damage. What's on the other side of the wall behind these cabinets, by the way?

    – ThreePhaseEel
    Feb 1 at 1:57






  • 1





    @Jtl -- if you have the stuff to put holes through a cement wall, I'd go out the back of each panel into LBs on the other side of the wall and then conduit between the LBs

    – ThreePhaseEel
    Feb 1 at 2:29



















2














Another problem is that there is not legal work area around the panels, particularly the original panel. Placing them inside cabinets does not work unless the cabinets are quite shallow.



I would say a whopper, however, is the lack of ability to put a lid on the main panel! Particularly it is impossible to reset any breaker without direct contact with hot components and the chance of tearing out a wire. This would get inspectors very, very excited in the U.S. and they would most likely revoke your building's occupancy permit on the spot. Any sort of arc flash that occurs in the panel could easily escape the panel and set the cabinets or their contents on fire. Have a bunch of rolls of paper towel, fwoof.



Now the way I would tackle that is with the smaller knockouts on the side of the subpanel. Use those for five of your circuits (now I realize they are smaller wires in loom, not fat wires). Except I would use flexible metal conduit. Route them wherever feasible so you can access a proper entry point on the main panel. Or better, remove those circuits altogether from the main panel and have them join the armored cable in a junction box just below the main panel.



For the feeder, I would plug the 3" hole with a conduit reducing washer designed for a much smaller conduit, say 1", and again use flexible metal conduit to a proper point of entry on the main panel.



enter image description here



And a minor detail, the extra wires tapping the main lugs are not correct. Since these are your lugs, you can simply stack on another lug, such as crimp lugs, which for such small wires are quite thin.



enter image description here






share|improve this answer


























  • Since the lid can't be used to cover it anymore. Then the lid would be the cabinet front cover so the entire cabinet can be considered the panel. It is shallow and no other things (like plates) would be put inside it. Also since the panel is not connected to any EGC, then I will treat the entire panel chassis as hot. Meaning, to touch it or close any breaker I will put on electrical gloves. Also there is a second disconnect at the right side. I turned if off first before touching or fixing the main panel. About arc flash. Maybe it's time to install AFCI. Hmm...

    – Jtl
    Feb 1 at 2:20











  • Harper.Siemens finally tested their GFCI breaker and the bus bar.They said the gap between bus bar stub and spring clips is normal. See the gap imageshack.com/a/img922/278/d8qiHL.jpg They wrote me: "Sorry for the delay. Engineering has received new breakers from stock, which, when installed are configured the same as you have shown in the photos you sent with the angle on the connections. Engineering has tested & indicate contact is sufficient for proper function of the breakers." Harper, do u think it's good idea to transfer all the Siemens GFCI in the main panel since gap is normal?

    – Jtl
    Feb 1 at 2:44











  • Pls take a look at this image imageshack.com/a/img922/7937/Ywuq8V.jpg I'll put the 100A main breaker in the subpanel. But the crimp lug hole is smaller than the breaker terminal. The autotransformer 2 hot leads are supposed to be connected to the crimp lugs. Any idea how to fit them? Thanks.

    – Jtl
    Feb 3 at 14:18











  • @jtl because you got the wrong ones. Those terminals are made with any size of wire and any size of hole. Get the kind with a larger diameter hole.

    – Harper
    Feb 3 at 16:51













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2 Answers
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2 Answers
2






active

oldest

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active

oldest

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active

oldest

votes









2














The NEC doesn't impose a derate until you get to 24"



NEC 310.15(B)(3)(a) (essentially replicated for you in PEC 3.10.1.15(b)(2)) does not impose any derating factors for raceways (nipples, really) shorter than 600mm (24"), such as yours:




(a) More than Three Current-Carrying Conductors. Where the
number of current-carrying conductors in a raceway or cable
exceeds three, or where single conductors or multiconductor
cables are installed without maintaining spacing for a continuous length longer than 600 mm (24 in.) and are not installed
in raceways, the allowable ampacity of each conductor shall be
reduced as shown in Table 310.15(B)(3)(a). Each current-carrying conductor of a paralleled set of conductors shall be
counted as a current-carrying conductor.




So, you do not need to worry about this derate for your application, since the raceway routing would need to be quite convoluted to exceed 24".



However, you have two problems here



First off, the normal sequence of events is that the raceway is installed first and wires then pulled through it -- this avoids causing inordinate damage to wire insulation by gouging it with the ends of raceway sections or the edges of boxes. You'll need to very carefully pull the wires back inside the subpanel box for now until you have the raceway installed.



Furthermore, and more importantly, you have a problem here -- surface mounting the subpanel put you in a situation where the raceway needs to make an offset bend ("dog leg" or "S-bend") to get from a knockout in one panel to a knockout in the other. This is especially troublesome for you for two reasons:




  1. Conduit bends have a quite wide radius, especially for fat conduit like the 3" you are using

  2. Conduit bodies (including L bodies and pull elbows) must be openable without removing finish materials, just like you cannot drywall over a junction box


Furthermore, that giant 3" nipple is going to cause issues if you flush-mount the subpanel (due to the fact that it will split any stud in the way clean in half). The idea of bringing it in via the front of the main panel doesn't work either, because that'd cause merry heck if the main panel's deadfront had to be removed later for servicing (in fact, I'd call it a violation of NEC 314.22's Exception).






share|improve this answer
























  • Please see new edited post picture of entire panels. It is permanent installation in that I won't add any raceway so there is no S bend problem, right?

    – Jtl
    Feb 1 at 1:18






  • 1





    @Jtl -- can't do that -- individual wires must be part of a Chapter 3 wiring method, so that means "in a raceway" for all practical purposes

    – ThreePhaseEel
    Feb 1 at 1:51











  • What would happen if they are not put in a raceway? See above more edited post where all covers are closed. So the cabinet can be said to be the main panel itself.

    – Jtl
    Feb 1 at 1:54






  • 1





    @Jtl -- the raceway performs the role of a cable jacket in protecting the individual wires' insulation from external sources of physical damage. What's on the other side of the wall behind these cabinets, by the way?

    – ThreePhaseEel
    Feb 1 at 1:57






  • 1





    @Jtl -- if you have the stuff to put holes through a cement wall, I'd go out the back of each panel into LBs on the other side of the wall and then conduit between the LBs

    – ThreePhaseEel
    Feb 1 at 2:29
















2














The NEC doesn't impose a derate until you get to 24"



NEC 310.15(B)(3)(a) (essentially replicated for you in PEC 3.10.1.15(b)(2)) does not impose any derating factors for raceways (nipples, really) shorter than 600mm (24"), such as yours:




(a) More than Three Current-Carrying Conductors. Where the
number of current-carrying conductors in a raceway or cable
exceeds three, or where single conductors or multiconductor
cables are installed without maintaining spacing for a continuous length longer than 600 mm (24 in.) and are not installed
in raceways, the allowable ampacity of each conductor shall be
reduced as shown in Table 310.15(B)(3)(a). Each current-carrying conductor of a paralleled set of conductors shall be
counted as a current-carrying conductor.




So, you do not need to worry about this derate for your application, since the raceway routing would need to be quite convoluted to exceed 24".



However, you have two problems here



First off, the normal sequence of events is that the raceway is installed first and wires then pulled through it -- this avoids causing inordinate damage to wire insulation by gouging it with the ends of raceway sections or the edges of boxes. You'll need to very carefully pull the wires back inside the subpanel box for now until you have the raceway installed.



Furthermore, and more importantly, you have a problem here -- surface mounting the subpanel put you in a situation where the raceway needs to make an offset bend ("dog leg" or "S-bend") to get from a knockout in one panel to a knockout in the other. This is especially troublesome for you for two reasons:




  1. Conduit bends have a quite wide radius, especially for fat conduit like the 3" you are using

  2. Conduit bodies (including L bodies and pull elbows) must be openable without removing finish materials, just like you cannot drywall over a junction box


Furthermore, that giant 3" nipple is going to cause issues if you flush-mount the subpanel (due to the fact that it will split any stud in the way clean in half). The idea of bringing it in via the front of the main panel doesn't work either, because that'd cause merry heck if the main panel's deadfront had to be removed later for servicing (in fact, I'd call it a violation of NEC 314.22's Exception).






share|improve this answer
























  • Please see new edited post picture of entire panels. It is permanent installation in that I won't add any raceway so there is no S bend problem, right?

    – Jtl
    Feb 1 at 1:18






  • 1





    @Jtl -- can't do that -- individual wires must be part of a Chapter 3 wiring method, so that means "in a raceway" for all practical purposes

    – ThreePhaseEel
    Feb 1 at 1:51











  • What would happen if they are not put in a raceway? See above more edited post where all covers are closed. So the cabinet can be said to be the main panel itself.

    – Jtl
    Feb 1 at 1:54






  • 1





    @Jtl -- the raceway performs the role of a cable jacket in protecting the individual wires' insulation from external sources of physical damage. What's on the other side of the wall behind these cabinets, by the way?

    – ThreePhaseEel
    Feb 1 at 1:57






  • 1





    @Jtl -- if you have the stuff to put holes through a cement wall, I'd go out the back of each panel into LBs on the other side of the wall and then conduit between the LBs

    – ThreePhaseEel
    Feb 1 at 2:29














2












2








2







The NEC doesn't impose a derate until you get to 24"



NEC 310.15(B)(3)(a) (essentially replicated for you in PEC 3.10.1.15(b)(2)) does not impose any derating factors for raceways (nipples, really) shorter than 600mm (24"), such as yours:




(a) More than Three Current-Carrying Conductors. Where the
number of current-carrying conductors in a raceway or cable
exceeds three, or where single conductors or multiconductor
cables are installed without maintaining spacing for a continuous length longer than 600 mm (24 in.) and are not installed
in raceways, the allowable ampacity of each conductor shall be
reduced as shown in Table 310.15(B)(3)(a). Each current-carrying conductor of a paralleled set of conductors shall be
counted as a current-carrying conductor.




So, you do not need to worry about this derate for your application, since the raceway routing would need to be quite convoluted to exceed 24".



However, you have two problems here



First off, the normal sequence of events is that the raceway is installed first and wires then pulled through it -- this avoids causing inordinate damage to wire insulation by gouging it with the ends of raceway sections or the edges of boxes. You'll need to very carefully pull the wires back inside the subpanel box for now until you have the raceway installed.



Furthermore, and more importantly, you have a problem here -- surface mounting the subpanel put you in a situation where the raceway needs to make an offset bend ("dog leg" or "S-bend") to get from a knockout in one panel to a knockout in the other. This is especially troublesome for you for two reasons:




  1. Conduit bends have a quite wide radius, especially for fat conduit like the 3" you are using

  2. Conduit bodies (including L bodies and pull elbows) must be openable without removing finish materials, just like you cannot drywall over a junction box


Furthermore, that giant 3" nipple is going to cause issues if you flush-mount the subpanel (due to the fact that it will split any stud in the way clean in half). The idea of bringing it in via the front of the main panel doesn't work either, because that'd cause merry heck if the main panel's deadfront had to be removed later for servicing (in fact, I'd call it a violation of NEC 314.22's Exception).






share|improve this answer













The NEC doesn't impose a derate until you get to 24"



NEC 310.15(B)(3)(a) (essentially replicated for you in PEC 3.10.1.15(b)(2)) does not impose any derating factors for raceways (nipples, really) shorter than 600mm (24"), such as yours:




(a) More than Three Current-Carrying Conductors. Where the
number of current-carrying conductors in a raceway or cable
exceeds three, or where single conductors or multiconductor
cables are installed without maintaining spacing for a continuous length longer than 600 mm (24 in.) and are not installed
in raceways, the allowable ampacity of each conductor shall be
reduced as shown in Table 310.15(B)(3)(a). Each current-carrying conductor of a paralleled set of conductors shall be
counted as a current-carrying conductor.




So, you do not need to worry about this derate for your application, since the raceway routing would need to be quite convoluted to exceed 24".



However, you have two problems here



First off, the normal sequence of events is that the raceway is installed first and wires then pulled through it -- this avoids causing inordinate damage to wire insulation by gouging it with the ends of raceway sections or the edges of boxes. You'll need to very carefully pull the wires back inside the subpanel box for now until you have the raceway installed.



Furthermore, and more importantly, you have a problem here -- surface mounting the subpanel put you in a situation where the raceway needs to make an offset bend ("dog leg" or "S-bend") to get from a knockout in one panel to a knockout in the other. This is especially troublesome for you for two reasons:




  1. Conduit bends have a quite wide radius, especially for fat conduit like the 3" you are using

  2. Conduit bodies (including L bodies and pull elbows) must be openable without removing finish materials, just like you cannot drywall over a junction box


Furthermore, that giant 3" nipple is going to cause issues if you flush-mount the subpanel (due to the fact that it will split any stud in the way clean in half). The idea of bringing it in via the front of the main panel doesn't work either, because that'd cause merry heck if the main panel's deadfront had to be removed later for servicing (in fact, I'd call it a violation of NEC 314.22's Exception).







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered Feb 1 at 1:03









ThreePhaseEelThreePhaseEel

32.3k115097




32.3k115097













  • Please see new edited post picture of entire panels. It is permanent installation in that I won't add any raceway so there is no S bend problem, right?

    – Jtl
    Feb 1 at 1:18






  • 1





    @Jtl -- can't do that -- individual wires must be part of a Chapter 3 wiring method, so that means "in a raceway" for all practical purposes

    – ThreePhaseEel
    Feb 1 at 1:51











  • What would happen if they are not put in a raceway? See above more edited post where all covers are closed. So the cabinet can be said to be the main panel itself.

    – Jtl
    Feb 1 at 1:54






  • 1





    @Jtl -- the raceway performs the role of a cable jacket in protecting the individual wires' insulation from external sources of physical damage. What's on the other side of the wall behind these cabinets, by the way?

    – ThreePhaseEel
    Feb 1 at 1:57






  • 1





    @Jtl -- if you have the stuff to put holes through a cement wall, I'd go out the back of each panel into LBs on the other side of the wall and then conduit between the LBs

    – ThreePhaseEel
    Feb 1 at 2:29



















  • Please see new edited post picture of entire panels. It is permanent installation in that I won't add any raceway so there is no S bend problem, right?

    – Jtl
    Feb 1 at 1:18






  • 1





    @Jtl -- can't do that -- individual wires must be part of a Chapter 3 wiring method, so that means "in a raceway" for all practical purposes

    – ThreePhaseEel
    Feb 1 at 1:51











  • What would happen if they are not put in a raceway? See above more edited post where all covers are closed. So the cabinet can be said to be the main panel itself.

    – Jtl
    Feb 1 at 1:54






  • 1





    @Jtl -- the raceway performs the role of a cable jacket in protecting the individual wires' insulation from external sources of physical damage. What's on the other side of the wall behind these cabinets, by the way?

    – ThreePhaseEel
    Feb 1 at 1:57






  • 1





    @Jtl -- if you have the stuff to put holes through a cement wall, I'd go out the back of each panel into LBs on the other side of the wall and then conduit between the LBs

    – ThreePhaseEel
    Feb 1 at 2:29

















Please see new edited post picture of entire panels. It is permanent installation in that I won't add any raceway so there is no S bend problem, right?

– Jtl
Feb 1 at 1:18





Please see new edited post picture of entire panels. It is permanent installation in that I won't add any raceway so there is no S bend problem, right?

– Jtl
Feb 1 at 1:18




1




1





@Jtl -- can't do that -- individual wires must be part of a Chapter 3 wiring method, so that means "in a raceway" for all practical purposes

– ThreePhaseEel
Feb 1 at 1:51





@Jtl -- can't do that -- individual wires must be part of a Chapter 3 wiring method, so that means "in a raceway" for all practical purposes

– ThreePhaseEel
Feb 1 at 1:51













What would happen if they are not put in a raceway? See above more edited post where all covers are closed. So the cabinet can be said to be the main panel itself.

– Jtl
Feb 1 at 1:54





What would happen if they are not put in a raceway? See above more edited post where all covers are closed. So the cabinet can be said to be the main panel itself.

– Jtl
Feb 1 at 1:54




1




1





@Jtl -- the raceway performs the role of a cable jacket in protecting the individual wires' insulation from external sources of physical damage. What's on the other side of the wall behind these cabinets, by the way?

– ThreePhaseEel
Feb 1 at 1:57





@Jtl -- the raceway performs the role of a cable jacket in protecting the individual wires' insulation from external sources of physical damage. What's on the other side of the wall behind these cabinets, by the way?

– ThreePhaseEel
Feb 1 at 1:57




1




1





@Jtl -- if you have the stuff to put holes through a cement wall, I'd go out the back of each panel into LBs on the other side of the wall and then conduit between the LBs

– ThreePhaseEel
Feb 1 at 2:29





@Jtl -- if you have the stuff to put holes through a cement wall, I'd go out the back of each panel into LBs on the other side of the wall and then conduit between the LBs

– ThreePhaseEel
Feb 1 at 2:29













2














Another problem is that there is not legal work area around the panels, particularly the original panel. Placing them inside cabinets does not work unless the cabinets are quite shallow.



I would say a whopper, however, is the lack of ability to put a lid on the main panel! Particularly it is impossible to reset any breaker without direct contact with hot components and the chance of tearing out a wire. This would get inspectors very, very excited in the U.S. and they would most likely revoke your building's occupancy permit on the spot. Any sort of arc flash that occurs in the panel could easily escape the panel and set the cabinets or their contents on fire. Have a bunch of rolls of paper towel, fwoof.



Now the way I would tackle that is with the smaller knockouts on the side of the subpanel. Use those for five of your circuits (now I realize they are smaller wires in loom, not fat wires). Except I would use flexible metal conduit. Route them wherever feasible so you can access a proper entry point on the main panel. Or better, remove those circuits altogether from the main panel and have them join the armored cable in a junction box just below the main panel.



For the feeder, I would plug the 3" hole with a conduit reducing washer designed for a much smaller conduit, say 1", and again use flexible metal conduit to a proper point of entry on the main panel.



enter image description here



And a minor detail, the extra wires tapping the main lugs are not correct. Since these are your lugs, you can simply stack on another lug, such as crimp lugs, which for such small wires are quite thin.



enter image description here






share|improve this answer


























  • Since the lid can't be used to cover it anymore. Then the lid would be the cabinet front cover so the entire cabinet can be considered the panel. It is shallow and no other things (like plates) would be put inside it. Also since the panel is not connected to any EGC, then I will treat the entire panel chassis as hot. Meaning, to touch it or close any breaker I will put on electrical gloves. Also there is a second disconnect at the right side. I turned if off first before touching or fixing the main panel. About arc flash. Maybe it's time to install AFCI. Hmm...

    – Jtl
    Feb 1 at 2:20











  • Harper.Siemens finally tested their GFCI breaker and the bus bar.They said the gap between bus bar stub and spring clips is normal. See the gap imageshack.com/a/img922/278/d8qiHL.jpg They wrote me: "Sorry for the delay. Engineering has received new breakers from stock, which, when installed are configured the same as you have shown in the photos you sent with the angle on the connections. Engineering has tested & indicate contact is sufficient for proper function of the breakers." Harper, do u think it's good idea to transfer all the Siemens GFCI in the main panel since gap is normal?

    – Jtl
    Feb 1 at 2:44











  • Pls take a look at this image imageshack.com/a/img922/7937/Ywuq8V.jpg I'll put the 100A main breaker in the subpanel. But the crimp lug hole is smaller than the breaker terminal. The autotransformer 2 hot leads are supposed to be connected to the crimp lugs. Any idea how to fit them? Thanks.

    – Jtl
    Feb 3 at 14:18











  • @jtl because you got the wrong ones. Those terminals are made with any size of wire and any size of hole. Get the kind with a larger diameter hole.

    – Harper
    Feb 3 at 16:51


















2














Another problem is that there is not legal work area around the panels, particularly the original panel. Placing them inside cabinets does not work unless the cabinets are quite shallow.



I would say a whopper, however, is the lack of ability to put a lid on the main panel! Particularly it is impossible to reset any breaker without direct contact with hot components and the chance of tearing out a wire. This would get inspectors very, very excited in the U.S. and they would most likely revoke your building's occupancy permit on the spot. Any sort of arc flash that occurs in the panel could easily escape the panel and set the cabinets or their contents on fire. Have a bunch of rolls of paper towel, fwoof.



Now the way I would tackle that is with the smaller knockouts on the side of the subpanel. Use those for five of your circuits (now I realize they are smaller wires in loom, not fat wires). Except I would use flexible metal conduit. Route them wherever feasible so you can access a proper entry point on the main panel. Or better, remove those circuits altogether from the main panel and have them join the armored cable in a junction box just below the main panel.



For the feeder, I would plug the 3" hole with a conduit reducing washer designed for a much smaller conduit, say 1", and again use flexible metal conduit to a proper point of entry on the main panel.



enter image description here



And a minor detail, the extra wires tapping the main lugs are not correct. Since these are your lugs, you can simply stack on another lug, such as crimp lugs, which for such small wires are quite thin.



enter image description here






share|improve this answer


























  • Since the lid can't be used to cover it anymore. Then the lid would be the cabinet front cover so the entire cabinet can be considered the panel. It is shallow and no other things (like plates) would be put inside it. Also since the panel is not connected to any EGC, then I will treat the entire panel chassis as hot. Meaning, to touch it or close any breaker I will put on electrical gloves. Also there is a second disconnect at the right side. I turned if off first before touching or fixing the main panel. About arc flash. Maybe it's time to install AFCI. Hmm...

    – Jtl
    Feb 1 at 2:20











  • Harper.Siemens finally tested their GFCI breaker and the bus bar.They said the gap between bus bar stub and spring clips is normal. See the gap imageshack.com/a/img922/278/d8qiHL.jpg They wrote me: "Sorry for the delay. Engineering has received new breakers from stock, which, when installed are configured the same as you have shown in the photos you sent with the angle on the connections. Engineering has tested & indicate contact is sufficient for proper function of the breakers." Harper, do u think it's good idea to transfer all the Siemens GFCI in the main panel since gap is normal?

    – Jtl
    Feb 1 at 2:44











  • Pls take a look at this image imageshack.com/a/img922/7937/Ywuq8V.jpg I'll put the 100A main breaker in the subpanel. But the crimp lug hole is smaller than the breaker terminal. The autotransformer 2 hot leads are supposed to be connected to the crimp lugs. Any idea how to fit them? Thanks.

    – Jtl
    Feb 3 at 14:18











  • @jtl because you got the wrong ones. Those terminals are made with any size of wire and any size of hole. Get the kind with a larger diameter hole.

    – Harper
    Feb 3 at 16:51
















2












2








2







Another problem is that there is not legal work area around the panels, particularly the original panel. Placing them inside cabinets does not work unless the cabinets are quite shallow.



I would say a whopper, however, is the lack of ability to put a lid on the main panel! Particularly it is impossible to reset any breaker without direct contact with hot components and the chance of tearing out a wire. This would get inspectors very, very excited in the U.S. and they would most likely revoke your building's occupancy permit on the spot. Any sort of arc flash that occurs in the panel could easily escape the panel and set the cabinets or their contents on fire. Have a bunch of rolls of paper towel, fwoof.



Now the way I would tackle that is with the smaller knockouts on the side of the subpanel. Use those for five of your circuits (now I realize they are smaller wires in loom, not fat wires). Except I would use flexible metal conduit. Route them wherever feasible so you can access a proper entry point on the main panel. Or better, remove those circuits altogether from the main panel and have them join the armored cable in a junction box just below the main panel.



For the feeder, I would plug the 3" hole with a conduit reducing washer designed for a much smaller conduit, say 1", and again use flexible metal conduit to a proper point of entry on the main panel.



enter image description here



And a minor detail, the extra wires tapping the main lugs are not correct. Since these are your lugs, you can simply stack on another lug, such as crimp lugs, which for such small wires are quite thin.



enter image description here






share|improve this answer















Another problem is that there is not legal work area around the panels, particularly the original panel. Placing them inside cabinets does not work unless the cabinets are quite shallow.



I would say a whopper, however, is the lack of ability to put a lid on the main panel! Particularly it is impossible to reset any breaker without direct contact with hot components and the chance of tearing out a wire. This would get inspectors very, very excited in the U.S. and they would most likely revoke your building's occupancy permit on the spot. Any sort of arc flash that occurs in the panel could easily escape the panel and set the cabinets or their contents on fire. Have a bunch of rolls of paper towel, fwoof.



Now the way I would tackle that is with the smaller knockouts on the side of the subpanel. Use those for five of your circuits (now I realize they are smaller wires in loom, not fat wires). Except I would use flexible metal conduit. Route them wherever feasible so you can access a proper entry point on the main panel. Or better, remove those circuits altogether from the main panel and have them join the armored cable in a junction box just below the main panel.



For the feeder, I would plug the 3" hole with a conduit reducing washer designed for a much smaller conduit, say 1", and again use flexible metal conduit to a proper point of entry on the main panel.



enter image description here



And a minor detail, the extra wires tapping the main lugs are not correct. Since these are your lugs, you can simply stack on another lug, such as crimp lugs, which for such small wires are quite thin.



enter image description here







share|improve this answer














share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer








edited Feb 1 at 2:09

























answered Feb 1 at 2:03









HarperHarper

73.6k448148




73.6k448148













  • Since the lid can't be used to cover it anymore. Then the lid would be the cabinet front cover so the entire cabinet can be considered the panel. It is shallow and no other things (like plates) would be put inside it. Also since the panel is not connected to any EGC, then I will treat the entire panel chassis as hot. Meaning, to touch it or close any breaker I will put on electrical gloves. Also there is a second disconnect at the right side. I turned if off first before touching or fixing the main panel. About arc flash. Maybe it's time to install AFCI. Hmm...

    – Jtl
    Feb 1 at 2:20











  • Harper.Siemens finally tested their GFCI breaker and the bus bar.They said the gap between bus bar stub and spring clips is normal. See the gap imageshack.com/a/img922/278/d8qiHL.jpg They wrote me: "Sorry for the delay. Engineering has received new breakers from stock, which, when installed are configured the same as you have shown in the photos you sent with the angle on the connections. Engineering has tested & indicate contact is sufficient for proper function of the breakers." Harper, do u think it's good idea to transfer all the Siemens GFCI in the main panel since gap is normal?

    – Jtl
    Feb 1 at 2:44











  • Pls take a look at this image imageshack.com/a/img922/7937/Ywuq8V.jpg I'll put the 100A main breaker in the subpanel. But the crimp lug hole is smaller than the breaker terminal. The autotransformer 2 hot leads are supposed to be connected to the crimp lugs. Any idea how to fit them? Thanks.

    – Jtl
    Feb 3 at 14:18











  • @jtl because you got the wrong ones. Those terminals are made with any size of wire and any size of hole. Get the kind with a larger diameter hole.

    – Harper
    Feb 3 at 16:51





















  • Since the lid can't be used to cover it anymore. Then the lid would be the cabinet front cover so the entire cabinet can be considered the panel. It is shallow and no other things (like plates) would be put inside it. Also since the panel is not connected to any EGC, then I will treat the entire panel chassis as hot. Meaning, to touch it or close any breaker I will put on electrical gloves. Also there is a second disconnect at the right side. I turned if off first before touching or fixing the main panel. About arc flash. Maybe it's time to install AFCI. Hmm...

    – Jtl
    Feb 1 at 2:20











  • Harper.Siemens finally tested their GFCI breaker and the bus bar.They said the gap between bus bar stub and spring clips is normal. See the gap imageshack.com/a/img922/278/d8qiHL.jpg They wrote me: "Sorry for the delay. Engineering has received new breakers from stock, which, when installed are configured the same as you have shown in the photos you sent with the angle on the connections. Engineering has tested & indicate contact is sufficient for proper function of the breakers." Harper, do u think it's good idea to transfer all the Siemens GFCI in the main panel since gap is normal?

    – Jtl
    Feb 1 at 2:44











  • Pls take a look at this image imageshack.com/a/img922/7937/Ywuq8V.jpg I'll put the 100A main breaker in the subpanel. But the crimp lug hole is smaller than the breaker terminal. The autotransformer 2 hot leads are supposed to be connected to the crimp lugs. Any idea how to fit them? Thanks.

    – Jtl
    Feb 3 at 14:18











  • @jtl because you got the wrong ones. Those terminals are made with any size of wire and any size of hole. Get the kind with a larger diameter hole.

    – Harper
    Feb 3 at 16:51



















Since the lid can't be used to cover it anymore. Then the lid would be the cabinet front cover so the entire cabinet can be considered the panel. It is shallow and no other things (like plates) would be put inside it. Also since the panel is not connected to any EGC, then I will treat the entire panel chassis as hot. Meaning, to touch it or close any breaker I will put on electrical gloves. Also there is a second disconnect at the right side. I turned if off first before touching or fixing the main panel. About arc flash. Maybe it's time to install AFCI. Hmm...

– Jtl
Feb 1 at 2:20





Since the lid can't be used to cover it anymore. Then the lid would be the cabinet front cover so the entire cabinet can be considered the panel. It is shallow and no other things (like plates) would be put inside it. Also since the panel is not connected to any EGC, then I will treat the entire panel chassis as hot. Meaning, to touch it or close any breaker I will put on electrical gloves. Also there is a second disconnect at the right side. I turned if off first before touching or fixing the main panel. About arc flash. Maybe it's time to install AFCI. Hmm...

– Jtl
Feb 1 at 2:20













Harper.Siemens finally tested their GFCI breaker and the bus bar.They said the gap between bus bar stub and spring clips is normal. See the gap imageshack.com/a/img922/278/d8qiHL.jpg They wrote me: "Sorry for the delay. Engineering has received new breakers from stock, which, when installed are configured the same as you have shown in the photos you sent with the angle on the connections. Engineering has tested & indicate contact is sufficient for proper function of the breakers." Harper, do u think it's good idea to transfer all the Siemens GFCI in the main panel since gap is normal?

– Jtl
Feb 1 at 2:44





Harper.Siemens finally tested their GFCI breaker and the bus bar.They said the gap between bus bar stub and spring clips is normal. See the gap imageshack.com/a/img922/278/d8qiHL.jpg They wrote me: "Sorry for the delay. Engineering has received new breakers from stock, which, when installed are configured the same as you have shown in the photos you sent with the angle on the connections. Engineering has tested & indicate contact is sufficient for proper function of the breakers." Harper, do u think it's good idea to transfer all the Siemens GFCI in the main panel since gap is normal?

– Jtl
Feb 1 at 2:44













Pls take a look at this image imageshack.com/a/img922/7937/Ywuq8V.jpg I'll put the 100A main breaker in the subpanel. But the crimp lug hole is smaller than the breaker terminal. The autotransformer 2 hot leads are supposed to be connected to the crimp lugs. Any idea how to fit them? Thanks.

– Jtl
Feb 3 at 14:18





Pls take a look at this image imageshack.com/a/img922/7937/Ywuq8V.jpg I'll put the 100A main breaker in the subpanel. But the crimp lug hole is smaller than the breaker terminal. The autotransformer 2 hot leads are supposed to be connected to the crimp lugs. Any idea how to fit them? Thanks.

– Jtl
Feb 3 at 14:18













@jtl because you got the wrong ones. Those terminals are made with any size of wire and any size of hole. Get the kind with a larger diameter hole.

– Harper
Feb 3 at 16:51







@jtl because you got the wrong ones. Those terminals are made with any size of wire and any size of hole. Get the kind with a larger diameter hole.

– Harper
Feb 3 at 16:51




















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