Multi-Section Panelboard
Multi-Section Panelboard
(OP)
Having more then 42 poles, i need to use Multi-Section Panelboards interconnected via Gutter Taps, Sub-Feed Lugs or Through-Feed Lugs.
1) How many panels (max) can be connected to be a Multi-Section Panel.
2) Do the panels need to be mounted each next to the other or are there gaps between allowed?
PS:I am from Switzerland and not so familiar with all US-regulations. Anyway the installation the question is asked for is in the US.
1) How many panels (max) can be connected to be a Multi-Section Panel.
2) Do the panels need to be mounted each next to the other or are there gaps between allowed?
PS:I am from Switzerland and not so familiar with all US-regulations. Anyway the installation the question is asked for is in the US.






RE: Multi-Section Panelboard
2. It doesn't matter as long as all conductors and busses are adequately protected by the feeder overcurrent device.
RE: Multi-Section Panelboard
Joining 2 or more panelboards together with gutter taps of power takeoff lugs is can be expensive and putting each section on its own feeder overcurrent device may have equal or lower cost. If each section has its own feeder then doing deenergized maintenance and branch circuit additions is a lot easier because you can use power from the still energized section to supply lights and tools.
Mike Cole, mc5w@earthlink.net
RE: Multi-Section Panelboard
RE: Multi-Section Panelboard
What Mike said applies in either case.
RE: Multi-Section Panelboard
Coming byck to my original request: is there a limitation in the amount of panels? (i may have the case where i need to use up to 4 panels as a multi section panel) Is that OK with the code?
RE: Multi-Section Panelboard
RE: Multi-Section Panelboard
Quite often we will attach a pair of 200-amp 120Y208 volt main circuit breaker panelboards to the secondary of a 150 KVA transformer.
You can also get transformers with 2 or 4 phase displaced secondaries that will cancel out ( neutralize ) harmonics from nonlinear loads provided that the nonlinear load is reasonably balanced across the seondaries. These are also legal in the U.S.
RE: Multi-Section Panelboard
RE: Multi-Section Panelboard
RE: Multi-Section Panelboard
It is OK to have four (or more) panelboards on one feeder, as long as one of the following is met:
1. The overcurrent protection of the feeder does not exceed the rating of any of the panelboards (section) bussing. You will need through feed bus conncetions or loop feed. (For expample you can have (4)225A MLO panles on one 225A feeder)
OR
2. If one of the susequent panel is rated less than the first one, it has to have a MCB or protected by a breaker in the preceding section.
I think the limitation is not to have more than 42 breakers in a single section of a 'lighiting and appliace' paneboards. But for that matter each section is a separate enclosure. For that you need to read up the 'panelboard' article in NEC.