ECN Electrical Forum - Discussion Forums for Electricians, Inspectors and Related Professionals
ECN Shout Chat
ShoutChat
Recent Posts
Increasing demand factors in residential
by gfretwell - 03/28/24 12:43 AM
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
Cordless Tools: The Obvious Question
by renosteinke - 03/14/24 08:05 PM
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
0 members (), 255 guests, and 16 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#97782 03/21/06 04:10 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 751
E
Member
Say I feed a multiple gang box with a single 14/2 cable fed by a 15 amp cb, wire-nut seven neutrals, pigtail the hot to 6 switches, then feed six 14/2 cables up the wall and through a single bored hole in the top plate. These six cables continue on to six individual recessed luminaires.
According to code, I have 12 current carrying conductors through this hole. Building code requires me to draft stop this hole, and 334.80 requires me to derate these conductors per 310.15(B)(2)(a).
But, because I feed all six cables from a single 15 amp breaker, am I exempted from the derating requirement? (after all, I am limited to 15 amps shared among all cables)


Earl
Stay up to Code with the Latest NEC:


>> 2023 NEC & Related Reference & Exam Prep
2023 NEC & Related Reference & Study Guides

Pass Your Exam the FIRST TIME with the Latest NEC & Exam Prep

>> 2020 NEC & Related Reference & Study Guides
 

#97783 03/21/06 05:30 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
I
Moderator
What you describe can happen in pipe systems as well.

In my opinion it should be exempt.

That said I do not believe there is anything in the NEC that allows us to 'exempt it'. [Linked Image]

Bob


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
#97784 03/21/06 07:36 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,507
G
Member
I could not agree more Bob. each wire will carry it's own current and generate it's own heat which will be additive and hence a large amount of heat right at the upper plate where they are closest together.


George Little
#97785 03/21/06 07:37 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 64
E
Member
How long is the hole? Even if it is a double top plate and the hole is 3" long, if the total conductor length not in the hole is at least 30" then 310.15(A)(2) exceptiion allows us to use the ampacity of conductors outside of the hole for that portion in the hole.

#97786 03/21/06 11:08 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
Member
I hate to be the spoil sport here but the code is wrong.
The whole derating issue assumes all conductors will be on separate circuits so the heat adds. If they are on the same circuit it actually subtracts where they are paralleled.
If the total amps is 15 and it is spread out across 1 pair of conductors "in" and 5 "out" pairs of conductors the heat generated in the insulation is ~60% of what it would be with a single Romex in and out. Resistance of the "outs" is 1/5th of a single pair and total heat is still I2R.
The only way this current could add is if this was a series loop and full current comes in and out 3 times.


Greg Fretwell
#97787 03/21/06 11:24 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,507
G
Member
eprice- I think you are mistakenly using 310.15(A) because 334.80 specifically says that "B" applies and using your approach it would rarely be the case where there would be derating of NM cables. And I do understand the Exception in "A" of 310.15.


George Little
#97788 03/22/06 06:13 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
I
Moderator
Quote
I hate to be the spoil sport here but the code is wrong.

I do not think anyone here is disputing that, I said as much in my post. [Linked Image]


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
#97789 03/22/06 11:29 AM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 375
G
Member
The code is not wrong ---

(Assuming that the plate is thick enough that derating is required ...)

The code simply says that if you derate this situation then the AHJ will approve this portion of the work.

If you do not wish to derate you need to do engineering. In this case, engineering will show that derating below 15amp is not required.

#97790 03/22/06 11:43 AM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 73
D
Member
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I hate to be the spoil sport here but the code is wrong.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I do not think anyone here is disputing that, I said as much in my post.

The code is never wrong. Maybe poorly written in many instances, but not wrong. These examples are where you talk to the AHJ and get permission. When you parrallel conductors you do not significantly increase the heat when they are bundled or in raceway. If the AHJ doesn't know that he shouldn't be inspecting.

#97791 03/22/06 02:47 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
Member
George, the exception in (A) of 310.15 was discussed in the IAEI news a while ago. The assumption is the thermal conductivity of the conductor will tend to average out the hot spot. In that regard I don't understand the new language of 336.80. I guess the CMP has the same issue you do with the exception but they won't address it.
Sometimes I think the guys who write new language do not rationalize it with old language they let stand.


Greg Fretwell
Page 1 of 2 1 2

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