National Electrical Installation Standards

Standards as High as Your Own

 
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Friday, April 9, 2021

Question:

Good Day Code Fans,

One the electricians on this project said that panelboards no longer are limited to 42 circuits. I told them it was a Code rule, but the manufacturer of our electrical panels shipped one that has 60 single pole breakers in it. Has this rule been changed?

Bill Cole

A

Answer:

Hi Bill,

The 42-circuit limitation that formerly appeared in Section 408.35 for panelboards was removed in the 2008 edition. Note that Exception No. 2 to Section 408.36 still imposes this 42 circuit limit under THYE conditions of the exception, but that is not stated in your question.

Hope this is helpful.

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