I see no reason to limit lighting and appliance branch circuit panels to 42 poles. This limit does not apply to power panels and I would think that if there was a real safety issue the same hazard would exist in both types of panels. As long as the main bus in the panel is protected at or below its rating and as long as no single bus tap is overloaded, I don't see a safety problem. Yes, it is a violation of the current code to install more than 42 poles in a lighting and appliance branch circuit panel, but maybe it is time that the code be changed.
Don
