Originally Posted By: nbhi This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
? How many splices are allowed inside the main panel? Looks like a service change and the wires were to short. Also, with the neutrals, how many per hole in neutral busbar? Thanks
– “I have not failed I have just found a thousand way’s that didn’t work” Thomas Edison.
Originally Posted By: Thomas Ogryski This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
The specific rule is that"… the conductors shall not fill the wiring space at any cross section to more than 40% 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 mare than 75% of the cross sectional area of that space."
Most 14 1/2' wide panelboards have a wiring space on the sides of about 10.5 square inches, at 40% that would allow about 315 #12 THHN conductors.
Basically, when wires are spliced in a panel (which is allowed) it can look overcrowded, but probably isn't. Only a glutton for punishment would do the calculation to see if the wirenuts & wire add up to more than 75% fill.
Originally Posted By: Thomas Ogryski This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Unless they were crimp on in line butt splices, you could only have 157 1/2 splices
I was just speaking in general terms, but there is usually more room in a panel than you might think, almost to the point that if you can still get the cover on, you're probably OK
