Can someone tell me if there is a rule in the CEC that mentions the partition between the main breaker compartment and the rest of the breakers in a panel board
Thanks
Doug
The only rule I could quickly find that states this (somewhat) is 6-306(a):
"Consumer's service raceways shall
(a) contain only the consumer's service conductors..."
If it's for service equipment it must be marked "approved for service entrance", so a barrier will come with that approval.
Thanks that what i found too.
Rules 6-306 & 6-212 make mention of it in a round abouts way.
This was my original question to Doug via a private message. I have heard that the panels used in Canada are designed with a cover arrangement that permits access to the load side breakers and bus without exposing you to the line side terminals on service equipment. If this is true I think that it is a great safety idea and would like to start the process of making such a requirement in the NEC. I guess I have two questions. Is your service equipment designed as I stated above? If so what code or standard requires this?
Doug, thanks for helping out with this question.
Some panels. I can't speak for all have a two part panel cover. One part covers the main and the second part covers the breakers.
Doug, do you have a copy of Part 2 of the CEC? Could be some additional rules in there that can help you out.
Doug, do you have a copy of Part 2 of the CEC? Could be some additional rules in there that can help you out.
No I dont have part2 have part one and the CD for the cost of the CD they should put part 2 on it too.:(
This is where I assume we find it in Part 2
Canadian Standards Association
Panelboards: C22.2 #29
Doug,
In that last link, it looks like the requirement is in a design spec and not the code or a standard. Is it common to see the main breaker or line side in a separate compartment?
Doug, you think thats bad, consider ULC S524 which is about 60 pages and costs 150.00 from ULC and is required document for installation of fire alarm systems. I dont know how these prices are justified.
The construction of panelboards is part 2 code and the part 2 code fills a library. It is cumulatively all the standards for products. Doug has pointed out C22.2 #29 for panelboards Appendix A lists much of the part 2 publications for electrical products. It is just a listing of publications and 15 pages long or around 750 product standards. This is why inspectors don't enforce part 2. They would need a van to carry their code books. It is much easier to look for an approval sticker.
Panelboards used for a service entry must have the incoming lines separated from the branch section. It serves to barrier those unprotected Hydro conductors from prying fingers. It also give you a chance to shut the buss off when working in the panel.
In BC there is a directive that requires main breakers (combo panels) when located in a branch circuit position to have a barrier over the line terminals as an added safety feature.
When a panel is used as a service entry only service conductors Line, neutral, and ground may be in the main breaker section and the panel must be approved for use as service equipment. When a combination panel is used as a sub panel then branch wiring may pass through the main breaker section as long as the barrier cannot damage the branch wires as they go past.