Continue to Site

Eng-Tips is the largest engineering community on the Internet

Intelligent Work Forums for Engineering Professionals

  • Congratulations cowski on being selected by the Eng-Tips community for having the most helpful posts in the forums last week. Way to Go!

Electrical Code

Status
Not open for further replies.

mikeo56

Structural
Jun 3, 2003
28
Florida
Several Questions All Relating to the Same Issue:

1) Is there a restriction on how low an electrical panel can be installed in relation to the floor? It is an interior panel in a utility room in a 2nd floor apartment.

2) I must install a new panel for an additional circuit. The only thing available is a 200amp, 30/30. The panel is a main lug and the main breaker is located outside. The Main Breaker is 125amp and the old panel is a 125amp main lug.
Is a 200amp Main Lug Panel oK to use?

3) Will code allow a splice inside the new panel? The ground from the main breaker to the main lug panel will be short once the new panel is installed? The jumper is aluminum, how do I splice it?

4) Is there code related to the number and placement of smoke detectors? Two bedrooms and the apt will be rented.
Thanks, Mike.
 
Replies continue below

Recommended for you

This is probably not the right place to post code questions. Nobody knows where you live, what the situation is etc. etc. etc. Any answer you get would be "best guess" and virtually useless when the inspecteor, who has the final authority anyway, decides that our advice was wrong. besides that, most of us are engineers. e know what is right, but that is not always what the code says! ;-)

Here is another more appropriate forum for that kind of question, but keep in mind that your location may make all the difference. You need to register there too, but like this one, it is free.


"Venditori de oleum-vipera non vigere excordis populi"
 
1. yes, it varies- check with the local building department Inspector.
2. no. it would be changing your electrical system. check to see if the load calcs for service system allows this change by adding new loads.
3. Aluminum wires-be safe-Don't splice it change out the full run of wires.
4. SEE IBC- the smoke detector is required in all bedrooms, hallways and stairwell.

My advice to you is to have an licensed electrical contractor change out the panel and make sure he gets a permitt. Apartments are always burning down and lot of them are from faulty wiring. A law suite may lose you a lot more money for the little bit of money you save by doing your own electrical work.
 
2. again. 200amp lug panel is ok if you don't expect to use it as a 200 amp panel and the panel load does exceed the 125 amp feeder breaker load capacity.
 
This is probably not the right place to post code questions. Nobody knows where you live, what the situation is etc. etc. etc. Any answer you get would be "best guess" and virtually useless when the inspecteor, who has the final authority anyway, decides that our advice was wrong. besides that, most of us are engineers. e know what is right, but that is not always what the code says!

Here is another more appropriate forum for that kind of question, but keep in mind that your location may make all the difference. You need to register there too, but like this one, it is free.

"Venditori de oleum-vipera non vigere excordis populi"


LOL An engineers post if i ever saw one!!!

I do agree it depends on the area talk with a local sparky for sure...

as for the engineers...hey it look good on paper... :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Part and Inventory Search

Sponsor