Mike Dolt Enterprises
Mike Dolt Enterprises
User: orealegeno, Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Asked on: Friday, March 25, 2011 at 4:20 pm EDT
Answered on: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 3:17 am EDT
Question: I was performing routine maintenance in this building at a local High School, I noticed that there are two panels side by side of the same amperage. the feeder conduits for the two panels are on the right panel thru the bottom of the panel and splices the wires to smaller wires and continues thru the top of the panel to feed the panel on the left. is it legal to use the panel as raceway?
No, it is not legal to use a panel as a raceway.According to the National Electrical Code (NEC): 300.15(C) states that "Conductors entering a raceway or other enclosure shall not be deflected where they enter or leave." 300.22(C) prohibits the use of an enclosure or raceway as a splice box unless it is specifically designed and approved for that purpose.Panels are not designed or approved to function as raceways, and splicing wires within a panel can create safety hazards, including: Overheating
The wires may overheat due to constriction or contact with the panel's components.
Damage to Insulation
Wire insulation can be damaged, leading to short circuits or ground faults.
Mechanical Stress
The wires may be subjected to excessive bending or pulling, weakening the connections.
Violation of Code: Using a panel as a raceway violates the NEC and may compromise the electrical safety of the building.To correct this issue, the splices should be moved to a proper junction box or raceway, and the wires should enter and leave the panels through proper knockouts or connectors. Flag for review