
MANUAL MOTOR STARTER GUIDE
APRIL 19
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7.1.5.1 Tap conductor definition from section 240.2 of the National Electrical Code (NEC), 2014 edition
“A conductor, other than a service conductor, that has overcurrent protection ahead of its point of supply that ex-
ceeds the value permitted for similar conductors that are protected as described elsewhere in 240.4.”
A Tap conductor is de
fi
ned in the NEC 2014 edition electrical code tap rules. The NEC article dealing with overcurrent
protection of feeder taps is article 240.21(B). These rules are often referred to as the NEC “tap rules”.
There are five tap rules related to feeder circuit taps:
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Taps not over 3 m (10 ft.) long
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Taps not over 7.5 m (25 ft.) long
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Taps supplying a transformer [primary plus secondary not over 7.5 m (25 ft.) long]
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Taps over 7.5 m (25 ft.) long
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Outside taps of unlimited length