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#97795 03/21/06 06:21 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 751
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Section 310.15(B)(20(a) requires derating of more than 3 current carrying conductors in a cable or raceway.
Section 240.4(B) allows the next higher standard overcurrent device rating above the ampacity of the conductors being protected to be used.
Does that mean I can bundle 40 14/2 NM cables together for long distances, and connect each to a 15 amp cb?
80 current carrying conductors would require a 35% derating from 25 amps to 8.75 amps. Can I then bump the cb up to 15 amps because Section 240.6 gives me the lowest standard rated breaker as 15 amps?
Or, am I required to use a 10 amp fuse?


Earl
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#97796 03/21/06 06:28 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
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IMO you could use the next standard size listed (15 amp) on any of the circuits that are not multioutlet branch circuits supplying receptacles for cord-and-plug-connected portable loads.

Of course the ampacity of the cables would still be only 8.75 amps and the connected load could not exceed that.


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
#97797 03/21/06 06:57 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
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So, if we combine my two posts, using luminaires that do not draw more than 2 amps, I could get away with that scenenario?

12 current carrying conductors require a deration of 50%, 50% of 25 aamps is 12.5 amps. Dividing by six luminaires, gives me 2.08333 amps each.


Earl
#97798 03/21/06 07:15 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
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Cool questions. [Linked Image]

IMO yes, 240.4(B) applies to the circuit as conditions (1), (2) and (3) are met and it tells us clearly "The next higher standard overcurrent device rating" a couple of times.

240.6 Standard Ampere Ratings shows the smallest standard rating as 15.

Bob


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
#97799 03/21/06 07:47 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,507
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I'm giving you guys a red sticker. Wording in the code is the "next higher standard overcurrent device" Not the next size circuit breaker. 10a. is the next size overcurrent device for earlydean's post. Guess someone is installing fuses on these circuits.


George Little
#97800 03/21/06 08:27 PM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,044
Tom Offline
Member
I think that sticker should be pink instead of red, thereby giving partial credit. After all, Iwire did point out that going up to the next OCPD does not allow you to increase the ampacity (or load) of the conductors and he did correctly make the call about multioutlet circuits. These points seem to be lost on many, at least here in the Mountain State.


Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.
#97801 03/21/06 08:44 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
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Interesting, I have to agree with you George, that is what it says. [Linked Image]

That aside I am not convinced the NEC intends to force the use of a fuse over a breaker.

Bob

BTW I will happily take a RED tag over a pink tag.

Pink is the color of the spare hardhats for those that always misplace their own. [Linked Image]


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
#97802 03/25/06 12:09 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 751
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Member
It takes a real manly man to wear a pink hardhat on a construction job!


Earl

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