Otis Singleton
In electrical terms, a feeder is a dedicated line of cables that carries electricity from a power station or substation to the end user. Feeders are a crucial component in the distribution of electricity and are essential for the reliability of our electrical infrastructure. They are responsible for connecting the source of power to the end user, such as a home or business, and providing a safe and reliable means for electricity to be distributed throughout a given area. In the context of electrical permits, an additional feeder refers to any new circuits not in the old panel or any circuits that are being altered, added to, moved, or extended. This typically requires a 200A service/feeder permit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | "All circuit conductors between the service equipment, the source of a separately derived system, or other power supply source and the final branch-circuit overcurrent device." |
| Simplified definition | "The circuit conductors that supply power to a branch-circuit overcurrent device or to a panel that contains such devices. The power may come from the service equipment, a separately derived system, or other power supply source." |
| Function | Connect the source of power, such as a power station or substation, to the end user. |
| Types | Overhead or underground |
| Components | Circuit breakers, transformers, and other related components that help regulate and distribute electricity within a given area. |
| Permits | A residential electrical permit is required to add new receptacles (plugs) and lights or to replace lights and plugs. |
| Permits (cont.) | A 200A service/feeder permit is required for any new circuits not in the old panel, or that are being altered, added to, moved, or extended. |
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What You'll Learn
Feeder identification methods
Feeder conductors deliver electricity within a house. They are different from service conductors and branch circuit conductors. Feeder conductors take over after the service entrance, bringing power from the utility pole and supplying power to the branch circuits.
A typical electrical system may have many types of feeders supplying different types of loads. These feeders may be supplied by different voltage systems, and each ungrounded conductor must be identified by phase or line and system at all termination, connection, and splice points.
Ungrounded AC system conductors can be identified by color-coding, marking tape, tagging, or other approved means. The NEC mandates the use of the color orange to identify the high-leg of a 4-wire delta-connected system where the midpoint of one phase winding is grounded. If a high-leg system is present with a 480-volt system, the common practice of identifying 480-volt feeder conductors using the colors brown, orange, and yellow may need adjustment.
The feeder identification method must be posted at each feeder panel board or documented and readily available to those servicing the electrical system. Using a standard feeder identification method throughout the premises wiring system allows qualified persons to quickly identify the phase and voltage of the feeder conductors at all termination or splice points after installation.
In the context of residential electrical permits, a "circuit" refers to the wire or cable (romex) from the breaker at the panel to all the items fed by that wire. Any new circuits not in the old panel or altered, added to, moved, or extended will require additional branch circuits to be purchased on the permit. This typically requires a 200A service/feeder permit.
Additionally, existing faulted feeder identification methods in resonant grounded distribution networks rely on feature extraction of fault-generated transient currents. However, a novel method has been proposed to identify the faulted feeder by consecutively tuning the arc suppression coil around the full compensation state and using an adjustment trajectory matrix (ATM) for identification.
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Feeder sizing
In electrical systems, a feeder is defined as the circuit conductors that supply power to a branch-circuit overcurrent device or a panel containing such devices. These feeders deliver electricity within a house, supplying various loads, including continuous and non-continuous loads, motor feeders, outside feeders, or feeders to separate buildings.
When it comes to feeder sizing, the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local regulations provide specific guidelines. For instance, NEC 2017 Section 210 states that feeders should be sized based on non-continuous loads plus 125% continuous load. This calculation considers both the demand load and the diversity factor, ensuring that the feeder can handle the total electrical load.
To determine the appropriate feeder size, one can use the following formula: Feeder Size (in circular mils) = (Resistivity of conductor material x Current) x 2 / (Voltage x Power factor). This calculation takes into account the current, voltage, and resistivity of the conductor material. By inputting these values into the formula, one can determine the required feeder size to prevent overheating or excessive voltage drop.
It is important to note that feeder identification methods, such as colour-coding or marking, are also essential. These methods allow qualified individuals to quickly identify the phase and voltage of feeder conductors, facilitating installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
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Feeder protection
Feeder conductors deliver electricity within a house, supplying power to branch circuits. They are the circuit conductors that supply power to a branch-circuit overcurrent device or to a panel containing such devices. A feeder diagram may include feeders supplying a combination of continuous and non-continuous loads, motor feeders, outside feeders, or feeders to separate buildings.
The sizing and installation of feeders are important for ensuring proper feeder protection. Feeder conductors must be sized to minimize voltage drop, and the requirements for sizing and installing feeders are outlined in Article 215. For instance, feeder conductors for individual dwelling units or mobile homes do not need to be larger than service conductors sized per 310.15(B)(6).
The identification of feeder conductors is also crucial for feeder protection. A standard feeder identification method allows qualified persons to quickly identify the phase and voltage of the feeder conductors. Color-coding, marking tape, tagging, or other approved means can be used to identify feeder conductors. For example, the NEC mandates the use of the color orange to identify the high-leg of a 4-wire delta-connected system.
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Feeder circuits
> All wires and devices in electrical circuits between the various types of energy supply and the feed side of branch circuit overcurrent protective devices (BCOPDs). The system is considered using the load in the system in the direction of the voltage source. The feeder circuit therefore includes all devices positioned after the load side right up to the final branch circuit protective device (BCPD). "Feeder circuits" may also be described as power distribution circuits.
In other words, feeder conductors deliver electricity within a house. They are not service conductors or branch circuit conductors. Feeder conductors take over after the service entrance, which brings power from the utility pole, and supplies power to the branch circuits.
The NEC mandates the use of the colour orange to identify the high-leg of a 4-wire delta-connected system where the mid-point of one phase winding is grounded. If a high-leg system is present on the same premises as a 480-volt system, the common practice of identifying 480-volt feeder conductors using the colours brown, orange, and yellow may need to be adjusted. Marking tape, tagging, or other approved means of feeder identification may be required to distinguish the different feeder voltages.
The NEC also states that grounded feeder conductors, if present, including grounded DC system conductors, must be identified in accordance with 200.6. Where grounded conductors of different voltage systems are installed in the same enclosure or raceway, each grounded conductor must be identified by the system. The feeder identification method used is required to be posted at each feeder panel board or documented and readily available to those who will service the electrical system.
A feeder diagram should include the total calculated load on the feeder and any demand factors used in sizing the feeder conductors. The size and type of feeder conductors, as well as the rating of the feeder overcurrent protective devices, should also be included with the feeder diagram.
In the context of residential electrical permits, a "circuit" means the wire or cable (romex) from the breaker at the panel to all the items fed by that wire. Any circuit that is being altered, moved, added to, or replaced will need to be counted in the total. Unless you plan to work on more than 12 circuits, it usually costs less to use individual circuit fixtures rather than a square-foot package. This requires a 200A service/feeder permit.
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Feeder permits
Residential electrical permits are required when making alterations to or adding new circuits, lights, outlets, switches, or receptacles. This includes any changes to circuits not in the old panel, such as new circuits being added, altered, moved, or extended. In such cases, additional branch circuits must be purchased, and a feeder permit is necessary.
The specific requirements for feeder permits can vary depending on the location and scope of the work. For instance, in Portland, a 200A service/feeder permit is typically needed for these types of projects. This permit covers the circuits being worked on, and it is generally more cost-effective to use individual circuit fixtures rather than a square-foot package if the work involves 12 or fewer circuits.
It is important to note that feeder permits are just one aspect of the broader topic of feeder systems in electrical work. Feeders are crucial components in the distribution of electricity, ensuring a safe and reliable supply to end users. They include circuit breakers to protect against surges and transformers to step down voltage levels for safer use in residential and commercial buildings. Understanding the intricacies of feeder systems is essential for electricians and those seeking to comprehend electrical infrastructure.
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Frequently asked questions
A feeder is a dedicated line of cables that carry electricity from a power station or substation to the end user.
An additional feeder means adding new circuits, plugs, lights, switches, or receptacles that are not in the old panel.
A residential electrical permit includes the meter base, meter main, and all circuits that are being altered, moved, added to, or replaced.
You need a residential electrical permit when adding or replacing new receptacles (plugs) and lights.
Service conductors bring power from the utility pole to the service entrance. Feeder conductors take over after the service entrance and supply power to the branch circuits.
