ECN Electrical Forum - Discussion Forums for Electricians, Inspectors and Related Professionals
ECN Shout Chat
ShoutChat
Recent Posts
UL 508A SPACING
by ale348 - 03/29/24 01:09 AM
Increasing demand factors in residential
by tortuga - 03/28/24 05:57 PM
Portable generator question
by Steve Miller - 03/19/24 08:50 PM
Do we need grounding?
by NORCAL - 03/19/24 05:11 PM
240V only in a home and NEC?
by dsk - 03/19/24 06:33 AM
New in the Gallery:
This is a new one
This is a new one
by timmp, September 24
Few pics I found
Few pics I found
by timmp, August 15
Who's Online Now
1 members (ale348), 302 guests, and 14 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
#74683 02/01/07 12:03 AM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 16
J
JoeMed Offline OP
Member
New Panel and New Home (Condo). The Panel is 20 positions and no remaining openings.
Is there a requirement about only 80% fill or have some openings for additional circuits??
Could not find it in the NEC.

I know it is not a good installation, but is there a code violation?

Thanks in advance

Joe

#74684 02/01/07 12:06 AM
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 814
B
Member
No. But maybe it is a 20/30 or a 20/40? Putting in some twins would free up some space.

#74685 02/01/07 12:11 AM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,143
D
Member
Many AHJ's around here have a "20% Vacancy" requirement, but it is all "inspector discretion" or spelled out in the local addendums.

#74686 02/01/07 12:14 AM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 16
J
JoeMed Offline OP
Member
Thanks for the reply.

yes, this was already done, and there is probably room for additional twin breakers.
But I thought there should be openings in a new install.

Joe

#74687 02/01/07 12:16 AM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 16
J
JoeMed Offline OP
Member
"Many AHJ's around here have a "20% Vacancy" requirement, but it is all "inspector discretion" or spelled out in the local addendums."

This was the case in Chicago, but not in Arizona

#74688 02/01/07 10:57 AM
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 821
S
Member
Just make sure the panel is rated for twin breakers before putting them in there. Not all panels are rated for twin breakers. The panel legend will indicate if it is permissable or not.

Good luck.

#74689 02/01/07 09:22 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
Member
There may be some local guidelines about future expandibility but that is not in the scope of the code. 90.1(B) says "Compliance therewith and proper maintenance will result in an installation that is essentially free from hazard but not necessarily efficient, convenient, or adequate for good service or future expansion of electrical use."


Greg Fretwell
#74690 02/01/07 09:26 PM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 706
T
Member
DougW,

That's a new and absurd one I haven't heard before. What towns?

Dave

#74691 02/02/07 12:10 AM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,143
D
Member
IIRC a few - Gurnee and Zion come to mind (poss. also Northbrook and Des Plaines).

As an example - Highland Park:
Quote
Article 90 - Introduction (1) Section 90-8 (c) shall be added to read as follows: 172-1
90-8. (c) - Wiring Planning. In new construction, for future expansion, a minimum of ten percent (10%) of the available spaces in a panel shall be provided as spares or blank.

#74692 02/02/07 12:11 AM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,143
D
Member
IIRC a few - (poss. also Northbrook and Des Plaines).

As an example - Highland Park:
Quote
Article 90 - Introduction (1) Section 90-8 (c) shall be added to read as follows: 172-1
90-8. (c) - Wiring Planning. In new construction, for future expansion, a minimum of ten percent (10%) of the available spaces in a panel shall be provided as spares or blank.

Gurnee:

Quote
Section 230.23(a): At this end of this subsection, the following shall be added: "All residential service revisions shall be a minimum 100 amp with twenty (20) circuit openings and have a main circuit breaker. The service entrance conductors must be a minimum of three (3) #3 copper wire and be installed in a minimum of not less than one and one-quarter inch (1-1/4") conduit. The panel must have 10% of spare space at final inspection.

They have a 15% minimum for commercial, retail, and industrial panels.



[This message has been edited by DougW (edited 02-01-2007).]


Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5