Transformer & Low Volt Wiring in Main Panel - InspectionNews

Shane Pouch · #1 (**permalink**) 04-10-2007, 08:42 AM

Hello to all,

I am trying to find section in IRC that addresses whether, or not, a transformer and its low voltage wiring can be housed inside a main electrical panel. (Maybe this is a NEC issue instead?)

In this case the transformer is in bottom of panel (not even mounted - literally hanging by its line voltage wiring, and the low voltage wiring passes along the right side and out the top of the panel (about 2.5 feet worth).

Thanks for your help.

Jerry Peck · #2 (**permalink**) 04-10-2007, 09:08 AM

Not allowed.

IRC. (underling is mine)
- E3303.3 Listing and labeling. Electrical materials, components, devices, fixtures and equipment shall be listed for the application, shall bear the label of an approved agency and shall be installed, and used, or both, in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

- SECTION E4204
- - INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS

- - - E4204.1 Separation from other conductors.

In cables, compartments, enclosures, outlet boxes, device boxes, and raceways, conductors of Class 2 circuits shall not be placed in any cable, compartment, enclosure, outlet box, device box, race way, or similar fitting with conductors of electric light, power, Class 1 and nonpower-limited fire alarm circuits.

- - - - Exceptions:
- - - - - 1. Where the conductors of the electric light, power, Class 1 and nonpower-limited fire alarm circuits are separated by a barrier from the Class 2 circuits. In enclosures, Class 2 circuits shall be permitted to be

installed in a raceway within the enclosure to separate them from Class 1, electric light, power and nonpower-limited fire alarm circuits. (Jerry's note: This exception does not apply.)

- - - - - -2. Class 2 conductors in compartments, enclosures, device boxes, outlet boxes and similar fittings where electric light, power, Class 1 or nonpower-limited fire alarm circuit conductors are introduced solely to connect to the equipment connected to the Class 2 circuits. The electric light, power, Class 1 and nonpower-limited fire alarm circuit conductors shall be routed to maintain a minimum of 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) separation from the conductors and cables of the Class 2 circuits; or the electric light power, Class 1 and nonpower-limited fire alarm circuit conductors operate at 150 volts or less to ground and the Class 2 circuits are installed using Types CL3, CL3R, or CL3P or permitted substitute cables, and provided that these Class 3 cable conductors extending beyond their jacket are separated by a minimum of 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) or by a nonconductive sleeve or nonconductive barrier from all other conductors. (Jerry's note: This exception does not apply.)

- E4204.2 Other applications.
Conductors of Class 2 circuits shall be separated by not less than 2 inches (51 mm) from conductors of any electric light, power, Class 1 or nonpower-limited fire alarm circuits except where one of the following conditions is met: (Jerry's note: This does not apply.)
- - 1. All of the electric light, power, Class 1 and nonpower-limited fire alarm circuit conductors are in raceways or in metal-sheathed, metal-clad, nonmetallic-sheathed or Type UF cables.
- - 2. All of the Class 2 circuit conductors are in raceways or in metal-sheathed, metal-clad, nonmetallic-sheathed or Type UF cables.

The NEC will say the same basic thing - do not run Class 2 circuits with power and lighting circuit conductors and not in the same enclosures ... unless the Class 2 circuit conductors are entering the enclosure to operate the equipment. An example of this is an AHU which has power circuit conductors enter the AHU as do the Class 2 circuit conductors. The Class 2 circuit conductors are allowed to enter-and-terminate within the AHU. The Class 2 circuit conductors would not, however, be allowed to enter-and-pass-through-without-terminating-within the AHU.

Shane Pouch · #3 (**permalink**) 04-10-2007, 09:12 AM

Thanks Jerry!

Jim Luttrall · #4 (**permalink**) 04-10-2007, 09:19 AM

IRC 2003
Section
e4204.1 Separation from other conductors
In cables, compartments, enclosures, outlet boxes, device boxes, and raceways, conductors of Class 2 circuits shall not be placed in any cable, compartment, enclosure, outlet box, cevice box, raceway or similar fitting with conductors of electric light, power, Class 1 and not power-limited fire alarm circuits.

Jim