Sub Panel Question
#1
07-01-03, 05:13 PM
Sub Panel Question
I am adding a sub panel next to main main service panel, connected via EMT conduit. I am moving a few of the old circuits into the sub, and will be making some splices inside of the main panel in order to extend the old wiring to the sub. My question is, do I just leave the EGC connected to the bar in the service panel and run the hot and neutral conductors into the sub? Or do I need to extend each individual circuit's EGC into the sub as well? My feeling is that the EGC's do not need to extend into the sub, as the sub is grounded via the conduit and a bare conductor. Is this correct?
#2
07-01-03, 06:19 PM
2002 National Electric Code
Chapter 3 Wiring Methods and Materials
300.3 Conductors
(B) Conductors of the Same Circuit. All conductors of the same circuit and, where used, the grounded conductor and all equipment grounding conductors shall be contained within the same raceway, auxilliary gutter, cable tray, cablebus assembly, trench, cable, or cord, unless otherwise permitted in accordance with 300.3(B)(1) through (4)
300.3 Conductors
(B) Conductors of the Same Circuit. All conductors of the same circuit and, where used, the grounded conductor and all equipment grounding conductors shall be contained within the same raceway, auxilliary gutter, cable tray, cablebus assembly, trench, cable, or cord, unless otherwise permitted in accordance with 300.3(B)(1) through (4)
300.20 Induced Currents in Metal Enclosures or Metal Raceways. (A) Conductors Grouped Together. Where conductors carrying alternating current are installed in metal enclosures or metal raceways, they shall be arranged so as to avoid heating the surrounding metal by induction. To accomplish this, all phase conductors and, where used, the grounded conductor and all equipment grounding conductors shall be grouped together.
#3
07-01-03, 06:33 PM
Thanks, Donnie. I do have a separate ground bar in the sub and the conduit will accomodate the additional wires. Should I disconnect the EGC's completely from the main panel?
I was thinking I could use green wire nuts to leave the original EGC connected to the bar in the main panel and then run a second bare wire off of this to the sub. This would effectively ground the wires to both panels? Do you think it is necessary?
I was thinking I could use green wire nuts to leave the original EGC connected to the bar in the main panel and then run a second bare wire off of this to the sub. This would effectively ground the wires to both panels? Do you think it is necessary?
#6
07-02-03, 08:56 AM
It is my opinion that you would achieve better results by completely removing the cables from the existing panel.The probably would mean one or more juction-boxes, but it's better to have splices in a junction box than inside a panel.If possible, the only wires that should be in a panel are wires that connect directy to the connection terminals in the panel.
If strict compliance with the Code means splicing both Neutrals and EGC's in addition to splicing Un-grounded conductors inside the panel, then you may want to consider this option.If my memory is correct, in previous Codes, "in-panel" splicing was a violation. Best Wishes for a sucessful project!!!! (BWFASP???)
If strict compliance with the Code means splicing both Neutrals and EGC's in addition to splicing Un-grounded conductors inside the panel, then you may want to consider this option.If my memory is correct, in previous Codes, "in-panel" splicing was a violation. Best Wishes for a sucessful project!!!! (BWFASP???)
#7
07-02-03, 09:59 AM
Member
As far as I know, in-panel splicing is not prohibited by today's code. Of course, box fill rules still apply.
#8
07-02-03, 06:38 PM
Finished!
Thanks for all your help guys, I was able to finish up the project tonite. I was originally going to go with the junction box method, but I ended up just splicing inside the panel. I would have preferred to do it differently, but I really didn't have enough slack in the wires or room to mount junction boxes. I would have liked to just replace the whole panel, but this will do for now. Maybe some day...Thanks again to all who posted!!!
