[RE-wrenches] Overcurrent Protection on a Subpanel

[Hans Frederickson]

Since Peter is talking about a subpanel, we can assume that it is not the
main service for a building/structure, and would not be subject to the
disconnect requirements of NEC articles 225 and 230. In general, as long as
the subpanel is in the same building or structure as the main service, it is
not required to have a main breaker. There are a lot of exceptions on
service entrance requirements, so it's a good idea to read through the
relevant sections of articles 225 and 230 to get a handle on this.

-Hans Frederickson

-----Original Message-----
From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Dave Click
Sent: Monday, April 05, 2010 6:07 AM
To: re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Overcurrent Protection on a Subpanel

One could interpret that if you have 6 or more inverter breakers getting
combined in a panel, you'd want one main breaker so that you wouldn't have
to turn off all ten individually to disconnect the system. 
Something else to ask the AHJ.

Peter Parrish wrote:
> When we use a sub-panel to combine the output of two or more 
> inverters, we buy the sub-panel without a main breaker. A wrench who 
> is working with us now, recommends buying sub-panels with the main 
> breaker, which increases cost by about 50%. Is this a code 
> requirement? Does it depend on the distance between the sub- and main
panels?
>
> - Peter
>
> Peter T. Parrish, Ph.D., President
> California Solar Engineering, Inc.
> 820 Cynthia Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90065 CA Lic. 854779, NABCEP Cert. 
> 031806-26 peter.parrish at calsolareng.com 
> <mailto:peter.parrish at calsolareng.com>
> Ph 323-258-8883, Mobile 323-839-6108, Fax 323-258-8885
>
>
>
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