13.

5 NEC Panelboard Requirements

SIZING LIGHTING AND POWER DISTRIBUTION PANELBOARDS

Introduction

Lighting and appliance branch circuit panelboards (referred to as simply lighting panelboards) are
defined in NEC Article 384 as “one having more than 10 per cent of its overcurrent devices rated 30
amperes or less for which neutral connections are provided.” Article 384 also limits the number of
overcurrent devices (branch circuit poles) to a maximum of 42 devices in any one cabinet. When the 42
poles are exceeded, two or more separate panels are required.

Power distribution panelboards, which consist of all other panelboards not defined as lighting and
appliance branch circuit panelboards, are restricted only to practical physical limitations, such as
standard box heights and widths. Additional boxes and fronts are required when the components
required for one panelboard exceed the standard box dimensions.

Types of Loads

This Information Sheet will briefly describe the following types of loads:

• Lighting and receptacle (general purpose) branch circuits

• Power branch circuits
• Feeder circuits

Lighting Branch Circuits

The load for lighting branch circuits will be computed based on the voltampere (VA) ratings of the lamps
and ballasts (if applicable).

Receptacle Branch Circuits

The load for general purpose receptacles will be computed based on 180 VA per receptacle outlet.
Although the NEC minimum rating is 180 VA per outlet, many design engineers use a more conservative
rating of 240 VA per outlet. Room layout may dictate another rating for the general purpose
receptacles. For example, dividing the receptacle circuits of three different rooms into three branch
circuits may be a designers preferred choice, rather than a minimum of only two branch circuits, which
was determined by computation.
Power Branch Circuits

For purposes of the Module, if the branch circuit supplies a load other than for lighting or general
purpose receptacles, it will be called a power branch circuit.

Feeder Circuits

Feeder circuit conductors are the conductors that supply electrical power from the service equipment
location (i.e., a panelboard) to the enclosure (i.e., a sub-panelboard) containing the final branch circuit
overcurrent protective devices. See Figure 7.

NEC Panelboard Requirements

Used as a Service Entrance

When panelboards are used as service entrance equipment (see Figure 4), NEC Articles 230-F and G and
Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) require the following:

• Panelboards used as service entrance equipment must be located near the point where
the supply conductors enter the building.

• A panelboard having main lugs only (MLO) shall have a maximum of six service
disconnects to de-energize the entire panelboard from the supply conductors. Where
more than six disconnects are required, a main service disconnect must be provided.

• Panelboards must include connections for bonding and grounding the neutral
conductor.

• A service entrance type UL label must be factory-installed.

• Ground fault protection (GFP) of equipment, as required by NEC Article 23095, shall be
provided for solidly grounded wye electrical services of more than 150 volts to ground
but not exceeding 600 volts phase-to-phase for each service disconnecting means that is
rated 1000 amperes or more. Note: GFP of equipment should not be confused with
GFCI protection of personnel, as previously discussed.
Phase Arrangements

The phase arrangements on three-phase buses, is required by NEC Article 384-3(f) to be A, B, C from
front to back, top to bottom, or left to right as viewed from the front of the panelboard. Figure 4
illustrates the correct phase arrangement of a panelboard.
Lighting Panelboard

NEC Article 384-14 describes a lighting panelboard as a panelboard that has more than 10 percent of its
overcurrent devices (i.e., MCCBs) that are rated less than or equal to 30 amperes and for which neutral
connections are provided. See Figure 4.

Number of Overcurrent Devices

NEC Article 384-15 restricts the number of overcurrent devices in a panelboard to 42 devices. The same
article also requires that the panelboard be provided with “physical means” to prevent installation of
more overcurrent devices than the number of devices for which the panelboard was designed, rated,
and approved. For purposes of the NEC, two-pole (2P) breakers are considered as 2 overcurrent devices
and three-pole (3P) breakers are considered as three overcurrent devices.

Ratings

NEC Article 384-13 requires that all panelboards shall have a rating not less than the minimum feeder
capacity required for the load that is computed in accordance with Article 220. Panelboards shall be
durably marked by the manufacturer with the voltage and the current rating, the number of phases for
which they are designed, and the manufacturer’s name or trademark in such a manner as to be visible
after installation, without disturbing the interior parts or wiring.

The following list is a sample set of panelboard ratings available from a particular vendor of pre-
assembled panelboards:

• Voltage: 240 vac Max.

480Y/277 vac Max. 250
vdc Max.

• Main Lugs: 100 thru 600 amperes

• Main Breakers: 100 thru 600 amperes

• Branches: 15 thru 100 amperes

 • Interrupting Capacity (Sym.):
240 vac: 65 kA Fully Rated

240 vac: 100 kA thru 200 kA Series Rated

480Y/277 vac: 14 kA Fully Rated

480Y/277 vac: 22 kA thru 150 kA Series Rated

250 vdc: 10 kA and 14 kA Fully Rated

• Service:
3-Phase, 4-Wire, 208Y/120 V, 120/240 V Delta, 480Y/277 V

1-Phase, 3-Wire, 120/240 V

1-Phase, 2-Wire, 120 V

3-Phase, 3-Wire 120, 208, and 240 V

1-Phase, 2-Wire, 125 vdc

2-Phase, 2-Wire, 250 vdc

Circuit Directory

NEC Article 384-13 further requires that all panelboard circuits and circuit modifications shall be legibly
identified as to purpose or use and that this identification be located on a circuit directory on the face or
inside of the panel doors.

Panelboard Selection Factors

The two major factors plus the miscellaneous factors to consider when selecting or sizing a panelboard
are the following:

• Loads (continuous or non-continuous)

• Protection (main, feeder, branch circuit breakers)

• Miscellaneous factors (phase balance, number of spaces, lighting panelboard schedule,

ambient temperatures, special conditions)
Load

Panelboard continuous current ampere ratings are based on the load that is computed in accordance
with NEC Article 220. The first consideration in computing the load is to determine whether the loads
are continuous or non-continuous loads.

Continuous Loads -The NEC defines a continuous load as a load that , in normal operation, will continue
(to operate) for three hours or more. For example, lighting loads are considered to be continuous loads.

The continuous current rating of the panelboard cannot be less than the service entrance or feeder
conductors that supply power to the panelboard. These service entrance or feeder conductors are sized
based on the sum of the non-continuous loads plus 125 percent of the continuous loads. The NEC does
permit, as an exception, the ampacity ratings of the conductors to be sized based on the sum of the
continuous and non-continuous loads, if the overcurrent device protecting the conductors is listed (i.e.,
UL) for operation at 100 percent of its rating.

Non-Continuous Loadsare loads that, under normal conditions, do not operate for three hours or more.
For example, a general purpose receptacle branch circuit load is considered to be a non-continuous load.

Protection

Protection for, or in a panelboard, must consider the following factors:

• The main circuit breaker that is enclosed in the panelboard.

• A feeder protective device that protects the feeder as well as a main lugs only (MLO)
panelboard.

• The branch circuit breakers.

Main Breaker on a Panelboard -The main breaker, although it is not necessarily the most economical
method of protecting a panelboard, it is the best or preferred method of protection. The main breakers
continuous current rating, as mentioned previously, is based on the sum of the non-continuous load plus
125 percent of the continuous load, unless the main breaker is a 100-percent-rated device.

UL permits panelboards to be labeled with a short circuit rating of up to 200 kA (symmetrical) where UL-
listed combinations of main and branch circuits are used. These combinations consist of main breakers
or fusible devices connected ahead of and in series with approved conventional breakers used as branch
devices. Note: Saudi Aramco standards do not permit series rated combinations.

Two arrangements are acceptable, and both arrangements comply with UL standards for panelboards.
The main circuit breaker may be installed in the panel as a main device (Figure 16a), or it may be
mounted remote (Figure 16b) from the panel. In either case, the approved main and branch
combinations must be followed. These arrangements are acceptable and are UL-listed because they
have been tested in accordance with UL 67 standards

Figure 16. UL-Approved Panelboard Protection

Branch Circuit Breakersare selected based on their continuous current and short circuit ratings. Neither
the setting nor the rating of the branch circuit breakers is permitted to exceed the ampacity ratings of
the conductor, although NEC Article 240-3 does permit “rounding up” of the breaker to the next
standard device size, as listed in NEC Article 240-6. If the branch circuit breakers are 100-percent-rated,
the NEC permits 100-percent loading for continuous loads; if the branch circuit breakers are not 100-
percent-rated, NEC Article 384-16 restricts loading of the branch circuit breaker to 80 percent of its
ampere rating for continuous loads.

Miscellaneous Factors

Phase Balance - The total load on the panelboard should be balanced, as much as possible, between all
three phases (A, B, C); many design engineers try to keep the unbalance within + 10 percent. The
neutral conductor will carry any unbalanced current and maintain the line-to neutral voltage magnitude
across each phase. However, if the neutral conductor is disconnected or broken, the loads would have
voltages significantly different than the nominal line-to-neutral voltages.

Number of Spaces -Panelboards are typically available with any number of spaces up to the NEC
maximum limit of 42 spaces. When the requirement dictates more than 42 spaces, two or more
panelboards are required.

Although there are no criteria available for panelboard layouts, it is usual practice to locate the lighting
branch circuits at the top, followed by the general purpose receptacle branch circuits. The lighting or
receptacle branch circuits are usually grouped in sets of three (A1, A3, A5 or A2, A4, A6) so that one
common neutral may be used, where local design standards permit, and no third harmonic currents are
present.

It is also a designer’s usual practice to include several spare breakers and spare spaces for future loads.
Ambient Temperatures -The primary function of an overcurrent device is to protect the conductor and
its insulation against overheating. In selecting the sizes of the devices and conductors, the engineer
should consider the ambient temperature that surrounds the conductors within and external to the
panelboard. Cumulative heating within the panelboard may cause premature operation of the
overcurrent protective devices. Note: The average temperature of a panelboard enclosure is 40°C.

Special Conditions -Standard panelboards, assembled with standard components, are adequate for
most applications. However, special consideration should be given to those required for application
under special conditions, such as the following:

• Excessive vibration or shock

• Frequencies above 60 Hz
• Altitudes above 6600 feet
• Possible fungus growth
• Compliance with codes and local and national standards

Lighting Panelboard Schedule -The purpose of a lighting panelboard is to show, in tabular, graphical, or
chart form, the following items:

• circuit breaker number - #10

• description - lighting (Room 5)
• number of poles - 1
• breaker frame size - 50 A
• breaker trip rating - 20 A
• phase connection - phase A
Figure 18. Typical Lighting Panelboard Schedule