Originally Posted By: kshepard This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
A number of defects here including wires abandoned outside the box, spliced ground, stranded aluminum wires from connection for backup generator (reason for the splices), and about 30 splices. Splices look hokey but are they defects? -Kent
Originally Posted By: jwilliams4 This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
312.8 Enclosures for Switches or Over-current Devices.
Enclosures for switches or over-current devices shall not be used as junction boxes, auxiliary gutters, or raceways for conductors feeding through or tapping off to other over-current devices, unless adequate space for this purpose is provided.
The conductors shall not fill the wiring space at any cross section to more than 40 percent of the cross-sectional area of the space, and the conductors, splices, and taps shall not fill the wiring space at any cross section to more than 75 percent of the cross-sectional area of that space.
Originally Posted By: pabernathy This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Dennis,
Your electricians are partly right....
Art. 725, 760, 770, 800, 820, and 830. Abandoned cables are defined as cables that are not terminated at equipment and not identified for future use with tag. The removal requirement is not exactly the same in every article but is similar to, "the accessible portion of abandoned cables shall not be permitted to remain."
But these more or less pertain to cable and TV and low voltage installations and not really for 120/240V ( nominal ) installations.
While it is best to always remove unused wires, atleast disconnected from both ends and capped off is the best choice, never cap a live wire in an area and leave it......always try to remove the power from the circuit to be abandonded. Also all wires should terminate in a junction box of some sort anyway...
However I would look for a change down the way in 2008 regarding abandoned electrical lines....but unless their is something I am not aware of ( which is possible ) I do not believe the 2002 NEC addresses this other than in articles listed above for low voltage and data communication wiring.
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Originally Posted By: mcyr This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hi. Jae;
While I read these posts. and abviously these wire nut splices are overboard in by book for no known code, and only because it doesn't look right.
What is it you said in laymens' terms? I am not quite familiar with the codes of the NEC on this one, other than the fact I would have strongly recommended an Licensed Electrical Contractor to look at.
Originally Posted By: kshepard This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
The wires you see spliced in the service panel are not abandoned, they are part of the method used to connect wires from the backup generator system. The abondoned wires don’t even enter the box and are barely visible at the top.
Does anyone really calculate 75% of the box? How would you do that? Sounds like a stand back and squint thing.
My first recommendation was to replace the Federal Pacific panel.
Second was have a qualified electrician do the work, correct abandoned wires and evaluate generator connections.
Originally Posted By: jwilliams4 This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Good heavens!! Why am I posting in “ELECTRICAL” when
Bob B. and Paul A. are watching over us???   
Originally Posted By: kshepard This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I’ll tell you why Jae,
Nobody's rung the bell yet.
There was only one overcurrent device, so your first post didn't answer the question. The next several were off-subject...
Maybe the fault is mine for not asking the question clearly...
1. Is there a limit to the number of splices that are allowed within a main service panel and is there an NEC number that addresses this limit?
2. In connecting a backup generator electical system to the home is it ever permissable for electrical connections to be made using stranded aluminum cable?
Originally Posted By: Greg Fretwell This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Quote:
1. Is there a limit to the number of splices that are allowed within a main service panel and is there an NEC number that addresses this limit?
There is nothing about splices in a panel at all. The 75% Bob referred to is really just talking about extra wires passing through the cabinet. You don't have a fill deduction for a splice.
Quote:
2. In connecting a backup generator electical system to the home is it ever permissable for electrical connections to be made using stranded aluminum cable?
By "stranded aluminum" I assume you mean larger than #10. I am not sure that was ever a concern.
