Thread: Main feeder looped around branch circuits

Will looping the main line around the branch circuits cause any kind of interference or voltage problems?

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That is just plain ignorant.

I suppose it may not be against code rules in the US, but it is still placing branch circuits unnecessarily close to the service conductors. In the event of a short, the only protection is the breaker out on the power pole, which is not going to prevent a fire or deadly shock.

The Canadian EC prohibits branch circuit wiring anywhere near the service conductors. Service conductors and main breaker occupy one end of the panel, branch circuits occupy the other.

I don't see this as any different than just passing in front of the main conductors. The voltage is the same, the insulation in intact.

Did this panel meet the exception that allows the branch circuit cables to enter the panel that way?

Originally Posted by Don Halligan

Will looping the main line around the branch circuits cause any kind of interference or voltage problems?

Maybe.

What you show in your photo is a one winding coil, and the current through the one winding coil is the full current to the structure, which may be high enough to create a sufficient magnetic field to affect the current flow in the conductors, either by inducing a current flow in the conductors or by acting as a choke coil and resisting the current flow in the conductors, but ...

... not to worry - why they correct all those conductors in those large bushings/conduits they can simply route the conductors around (in front of or behind) the loop in the service entrance conductors.