Electrical 01/2016

Author: Chad Kennedy

Shortz Document Number: 0110DB0901R12/15
www.schneider-electric.us/go/codes

Keywords: emergency systems

circuit wiring
generator
source wiring

Emergency System Generators and Circuit Wiring

What is an emergency system?
The NEC provides specific requirements necessary for the safe installation,
operation, and maintenance of emergency systems intended to provide
continuity of power to required facilities and equipment when there is a loss
of the normal electrical supply. Article 700 defines the criteria for such
systems by stating: "Emergency systems are those systems legally required
and classed as emergency by municipal, state, federal, or other codes, or
by any governmental agency having jurisdiction.” Equipment arrangement
and circuit wiring are keys to meeting the NEC requirements for emergency
systems.

How do I arrange the equipment Section 700.10 describes the requirements for the equipment and system
and circuit wiring? circuit wiring from the emergency source and emergency source distribution
overcurrent protective devices to the system emergency loads. The general
requirement of 700.10(B) is to keep the emergency system equipment and
circuit wiring entirely independent of all other equipment and wiring, but
there are some important permissions which are allowed in 700.10(B)(1)
and 700.10(B)(5).
1. Normal source wiring located in transfer equipment enclosures. It is
permitted to have normal source wiring in the transfer equipment
enclosures even though additional enclosures contain emergency loads.

Normal Generator
Supply Supply

Transfer
Equipment

Emergency Emergency
Loads Loads

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Emergency System Generators and Circuit Wiring 0110DB0901R12/15
Electrical Shortz 01/2016

2. Generator source wiring to supply any combination of emergency, legally

required, or optional standby loads which meet the requirement of the
emergency loads originating from separate vertical switchboard sections.
The illustration below reflects the configurations permissible.

Multiple Feeders
Separate enclosures are connected to individual
feeders from source. Legally Required and
Optional Standby can be located in the same
section, see NEC 701.10 and 702.10.

Optional
Legally Standby
Emergency Required
Loads

Single Feeder
Separate enclosures are connected to a single
feeder from source. Legally Required and
Optional Standby can be located in the same
section, see NEC 701.10 and 702.10.

Optional
Legally Standby
Emergency
Loads Required

Single Feeder
Separate vertical switchboard sections with or
without a common bus. Legally Required and
Optional Standby can be located in the same
section, see NEC 701.10 and 702.10.

Emergency
Loads Legally Required /
Optional Standby

Are barriers required between The NEC does not specify or require any barriers between switchboard
switchboard sections? sections in equipment lineups which contain both emergency and non-
emergency loads. The overcurrent devices for the emergency loads must
simply be segregated from other loads into separate switchboard sections,
but barriers are not required.

For More Information All of the above references to the NEC are to the 2014 Edition.

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