User: VIC1958, Location: New York City
Asked on: Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 5:46 pm EDT
Answered on: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 4:27 am EDT
Question: Are tandem breakers(piggy back) allowed in commercial applications. Code section violation?
Yes, tandem breakers (piggy back) are allowed in commercial applications.
National Electrical Code (NEC) Reference
NEC 408.3(C)
Tandem circuit breakers shall be permitted to be used to supply branch circuits only.
Clarification
NEC 408.3(C) allows the use of tandem circuit breakers for branch circuits, which are the final circuits that supply electrical power to devices or equipment. Commercial applications typically have extensive electrical systems with many branch circuits, so tandem breakers can be used to save space in panelboards and reduce the number of circuit breakers required.
However, there are some exceptions to the allowance of tandem breakers in commercial applications
NEC 408.3(C) Exception: Tandem circuit breakers shall not be permitted to supply circuits where any of the following conditions apply: Individual protection is required for each circuit by NEC 210.20. Branch-circuit neutral conductors are sized in accordance with NEC 408.22.* Equipment grounding conductors are tapped from the grounded conductor in accordance with NEC 250.148(B). Flag for review