Mike Dolt Enterprises
Mike Dolt Enterprises
User: DW98, Location: Brooklyn, NY
Asked on: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 10:58 am EDT
Answered on: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 3:29 am EDT
Question: An enclosed circuit breaker will be installed as the service disconnecting means remotely from a fire pump controller. MI cable will be run from the breaker to the controller.I know that the service feeder has to be outside the building or concrete encased. What about the conduit from the ground to the breaker. It's technically not outside the building. Is exposed conduit permitted in the short run from the floor to circuit breaker? This same situation applies to any service entrance panelboard installation. Looking for opinions/answers on what others have designed, installed, or seen.Jockey pump can't be tapped from inside fire pump controller. I show a j.b. above controller where feed to jockey pump controller is tapped. I haven't seen an actual installation and am curious about how others have done this.Thanks in advance for any replies
Question 1: Conduit Run from Ground to Circuit Breaker NEC 230.70: Service conductors must be installed outside the building or concrete encased unless otherwise permitted. NEC 300.22(C): Conductors entering a building shall be protected by conduit, unless otherwise permitted.
Opinion
In this case, the conduit run from the ground to the circuit breaker
should be considered outside the building even though it is technically within the building. This is because the circuit breaker is an enclosed service disconnecting means, which is typically installed near the point of building entry.
Reasoning
The service disconnecting means is the first point of disconnect for the service entrance. The conduit run to the breaker is a short distance and provides protection for the conductors. Treating the conduit as outside the building is consistent with the intent of NEC 230.70 and 300.22(C), which is to protect conductors from damage and environmental hazards.
Question 2: Jockey Pump Tap NFPA 20: Fire pumps must be provided with a jockey pump. NFPA 20: Jockey pump control shall not be connected to the fire pump controller.
Opinion
It is
permissible to tap the feed to the jockey pump controller from a junction box located above the fire pump controller. This approach allows for compliance with NFPA 20 while maintaining the integrity of the fire pump controller.
Installation Notes: The junction box should be located in a readily accessible location. The tap connection should be properly sized and protected. The jockey pump controller should have an independent circuit breaker or fuse. Flag for review