Feeder taps and the 2020 National Electrical Code

I'm a second year student in the IEC and I had no idea what a tap was let alone the rules. I asked my instructor and he didn't explain 90% of what you did. I've spent all week trying to comprehend and learn taps and you explained it so well you taught me everything I need to know in 28 minutes. Thank you!

The rv receptacle was a great example, thanks Ryan🤙

Hello Ryan. Journeyman from Texas here. Really enjoy your videos. With your explanations and showing examples in photos really stays with me and not boring at all. It’s really so great that you’re sharing your electrical knowledge and experiences with us all. God bless.

This is a must see video for anyone in the electrical trade.

Finally a video that clearly explains 240.21... Thanks!

This is one of the best explanations. I am so glad I found your channel.

Well thank you for that. I kept reading the tap rule and other writings about it and was drawing the correct conclusions, but TOTALLY overthinking it and second guessing it. Your real world explanations and explanations of the "why" cleared it up in my mind.

You explained it very well i have to admit. The way you explain things just sticks i actually retain the information. Thanks.

Ryan, your videos are fantastic. Actual technical info and learning on YouTube. Thank you.

I know I'm hooked on learning about electrical stuff cause I keep watching.

You're a great teacher! I'm a software engineer who's looking into what a feeder tap is for planned DIY solar + whole house backup hybrid inverter + batteries installation (of course I'll permit it first and inspect before turning on) and your explanation is very clear. Thank you.

Thanks for the excellent video. I work in solar PV installations and we often create a back-fed connection to feeders using Insulated Piercing Connectors (IPC). Although this is a supply connection and not a load connection, we refer to these as "taps" and follow the tap rules for conductor sizing and protection. A typical situation is using an IPC to connect a #6 CU PV output circuit coming from a fused disconnect (60A) to a 4/0 AL feeder that runs from the outside service disconnect to the main breaker of a 200A service panel. We had one inspector tell us that in addition to our PV supply conductor, the portion of the feeder between our "tap" connection and the service panel is considered a "tap" conductor and must comply with tap rules for sizing, length and protection. This becomes an issue when that feeder is SER cable since the portion between the IPC connection and the service panel is not enclosed in raceway. 240.21(B)(1)(3). Does the inspectors interpretation of what is a "tap conductor" seem correct to you in this case?

Very important to note is that section 240.21(B) covers feeders. A feeder is a conductor feeding a panel, or sub-panel from the main service equipment. The 30 amp circuit is a branch circuit and the feeder tap rules do not apply to branch circuits.

Surge suppressors are also strange critters. They normally have no load, yet they’re rated for 100 KILOamps, for example. It’s only going to conduct that for a number of microseconds, so there’s normally no problem. The problem is that some of the circuitry may fail SHORTED after a large surge, so they do need protection. Plus, I guess that Available Fault Current goes out the window, since the surge current from a direct/indirect lightning strike doesn’t conform to the AFC calculations.

First time watching, the man is razor sharp, insightful, and can translate the Code into a language that I could really digest. Thank you.

Ryan, thanks for the explanation of feeder taps. It was a very helpful topic, keep it up!

Nice story about your friend's 30 amp RV situation and remembering to use the tap rule to your advantage because feeder taps are mainly used in large commercial and industrial settings.

Love you Ryan. Nobody can explain it better than this. It is very precise and complete explanation.

Love the videos! Helping me alot! Thank you! Please keep them coming !

Great video on tap rules, thanks Ryan. You're the real deal