A few code questions.

[AA7483]

I'm finishing up wiring my pole barn and have a few questions to make sure I pass inspection. I have 2 cicruits for my outlets. Am I ok to use gfci breakers instead of putting a gfci outlet on each circuit? Does my indoor lighting circuit need to be on an arc fault breaker? I'm putting the outdoor lights on a separate breaker. Does that need to be arc fault? Also if I decide to put an outlet outside can that be on the same circuit as the outdoor lights?

 

[AA7483]

This is in NJ by the way. 2014 NEC

 

[acer66]

Not sure if a barns differs from a garage but here also under under NEC2014 there is no requirement for arc fault breakers only in the house.

You can put a receptacle on the same circuit as the the lights but if you use gfci breakers instead of gfci receptacles, which you can, you might end up in the dark when the breaker flips with lights and receptacle on the same circuit.

Also good is to check with your local inspector for any local code amendments.

I am not an electrician but I completly rewired my house and gargage and developed a good relationship with my inspector after he realized that I wanted to do things right.

 

[AA7483]

Thanks for your response. An additional question. I used a main lug only panel and am back feeding my main breaker. I inverted the panel (manufacturer made panel to be inverted) since my feed is coming from the bottom. Only place I can install the main breaker is on the bottom right since that's the only place the hold down clip lines up. Any issues?

 

[shadycrew31]

I'm not a sparky but I dabble. Some quick research popped up code 240.81, which requires vertical switches to function up = on down= off. I imagine if you have this panel inverted it is working opposite of that. Outside of that I don't believe there is any code that mandates the main be at the top of the panel.

If you get grilled on it by the inspector ask him to show you the code so you know what specifications you need to follow. If he cant produce the code you don't need to follow it.

 

[AA7483]

I'm 99 percent sure it isn't an issue since my switch operates side to side.

 

[acer66]

Side to side like you have is up to code, up and down is not.

 

[AA7483]

Thanks. I inverted the panel to keep the bottom feed cleaner then started second guessing the location of the breaker.

 

[ard]

...ask him to show you the code so you know what specifications you need to follow. If he cant produce the code you don't need to follow it.

hahahaha

Piss on the inspectors leg too, they just love that.

 

[Norcal]

Thanks. I inverted the panel to keep the bottom feed cleaner then started second guessing the location of the breaker.

You need a bushing on the PVC terminal adapter, and make sure there is a hold down on the backfed main breaker which looks like it's there.

With a vertically mounted main breaker the handle in the ON position needs to be up, which is why in the past they have been redesigned to make it code compliant to top or bottom feed it.

 

[AA7483]

Thanks guys. I'm an HVACR contractor by trade so I have plenty of dealings with my local inspectors so I don't anticipate any problems but I want it to be right. I have a Siemens q260 60 amp breaker that says it will fit #8 to 2/0 copper or aluminum but I don't see how this #2 wire is going to fit.

 

[acer66]

Just looked at your pic again and I do not see a ground wire.
How many wires do you have coming in?

 

[AA7483]

Its there. Just a bad shot. 4 wire feeder.

 

[acer66]

Its there. Just a bad shot. 4 wire feeder.

Cool and I have to correct myself, the main breaker can be installed horizontal as long as the on position is up.