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Code Q&A: Co-Locating Feeder and Branch Circuit Conductors

April 4, 2013

Your most pressing National Electrical Code (NEC) questions answered

Q. What is the Code rule regarding installing feeder and branch circuit conductors in the same raceway as service conductors?

A. Service conductors must not be installed in the same raceway or cable with feeder or branch circuit conductors [230.7]. Warning: Overcurrent protection for the feeder or branch circuit conductors can be bypassed if service conductors are mixed with feeder or branch circuit conductors in the same raceway and a fault occurs between the service and feeder or branch circuit conductors.

It's also important to note that this rule doesn't prohibit the mixing of service, feeder, and branch circuit conductors in the same service equipment enclosure.

This requirement may be the root of the misconception that "line" and "load" conductors must not be installed in the same raceway. It's true that service conductors must not be installed in the same raceway with feeder or branch circuit conductors, but line and load conductors for feeders and branch circuits can be in the same raceway or enclosure.

About the Author

Mike Holt

Mike Holt is the owner of Mike Holt Enterprises (www.MikeHolt.com), one of the largest electrical publishers in the United States. He earned a master's degree in the Business Administration Program (MBA) from the University of Miami. He earned his reputation as a National Electrical Code (NEC) expert by working his way up through the electrical trade. Formally a construction editor for two different trade publications, Mike started his career as an apprentice electrician and eventually became a master electrician, an electrical inspector, a contractor, and an educator. Mike has taught more than 1,000 classes on 30 different electrical-related subjects — ranging from alarm installations to exam preparation and voltage drop calculations. He continues to produce seminars, videos, books, and online training for the trade as well as contribute monthly Code content to EC&M magazine.