Power Distribution HELP

[MyersHub]

So I'm a young EE, and my boss quit and hasn't been replaced yet. Still have a job to do. Please help if you can.

I've got a system to set up that has a Utility feed to a building carrying roughly 1600A. There is no room for Switchgear, so I have to distribute the load to have multiple breakers feeding loads. To do this, I need some busbar between the utility source and the downstream breakers. Just wondering if there's a section of the code that outlines requirements for this installation. As in - DO I NEED TO PROTECT THE BUSBARS??? I don't know of a 1600AT breaker that's not in SWGR.

Any help/pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[living2learn]

Upload a diagram maybe. But the NEC will require the bus bars to be protected. My boss quit too when I first started...sink or swim (you will learn a lot real quick).

Q1) Are you wanting to add a switchboard?
Q2) Sounds like you have an incoming utility feed and you want to "tap" it to feed another switchboard. The NEC talks about services in section 230. NEC section 240.21 talks about tapping circuits.


Good Luck!

 

[MyersHub]

Took more time to figure out how to upload an image on here than it did to draw the one line!

Perhaps I didn't clarify the problem - the electrical room has only one means of egress and is not big enough for Switchgear. So my options are anything that is outside, or some way to distribute the loads without switchgear.

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[MyersHub]

 

[MyersHub]

CB-1 is the problem that I can't get around.

 

[davidbeach]

If the busway is short (as defined by the AHJ) and can accept no more than 6 taps, for ever and always you may be able to use the 6 main rule. Not my preferred approach though.

 

[MyersHub]

Thanks David - So if my busway is "short", I don't have to protect it upon entering the building? Smallest I can get is a 4' section. Seems pretty short to me!

 

[jraef]

There are also rules about "Service Entrance" to consider here, because it looks as if this is maybe a new building for this feed. Can you not use a "Meter-Main" instead of just the meter socket in the other area? That would be a best option if you ask me.

But also, this does not appear to be that large of a system, nor one with very high IC, likely 65kA or less. You could likely do this with a small switchboard instead of switchGEAR, it woul not take up much more room than the 3 separate breakers and bus bar and all that conduit, separation etc.

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[MyersHub]

I've never heard of a meter main, I'll dig up more info on that, thanks.
Actually, the IC is a little above 80kA, which doesn't help the problem. I think I would still need a room with two means of egress for a switchboard, right?

 

[Power2all]

Here is the best option in my mind... put your foot down - you need space for a reliable and safe system. You need a switchboard at least.