6

The only available knockout big enough for my #1 wires is on the right side of the panel. The new breaker (double pole 100A) needs to go on the left side of the panel. Can I cross my #1 wires under the service wires as pictured?enter image description here

Another option is to shuffle breakers around, but I'd rather avoid all that splicing in the box.

Improve this question
2
  • 2
    Such splicing is why it's a very bad idea to snip down every wire so it can barely reach where it's going now. Some people think that makes a neater panel but it actually makes an unmaintainable panel. Best to leave enough wire so every hot and neutral can reach every breaker in the panel. Code has no opinion on this, though some people misinterpret 110.12 and think it says "be neat at the expense of usability". It does not.
    – Harper - Reinstate Monica
    Nov 25, 2020 at 16:48
  • @Harper-ReinstateMonica -- to be fair, the NECA-NEIS for panels does seem to favor the Mr. Snippy approach....
    – ThreePhaseEel
    Nov 26, 2020 at 0:32

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
6

Yes you can route the wires under the feeders there is nothing wrong with this. As far as a code reference it’s tough to find something in this case that says it is not allowed or allowed. The wires in a enclosure can even be touching the 1 requirement the insulation is rated for the voltage. both the main and your new wires are probably rated for 600v so you will be fine.

Improve this answer
1
  • 1
    Code says you can't cross the busbars (i.e. you can't make a tunnel by leaving 4 breaker knockouts untouched and criss-crossing wires between breakers there). If it was going to speak about not crossing feeders it would have mentioned it in that section.
    – Harper - Reinstate Monica
    Nov 25, 2020 at 16:51

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.