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Article 215: Feeders — Episode 5

Barriers & Surge Protection

Welcome to the Article 215 Finale!

We've covered feeder sizing, protection, grounding, identification, and common neutrals. Now it's time to wrap up Article 215 with two more topics: physical safety barriers and surge protection.

This episode covers 215.15 and 215.18.

🛠️ 215.15 — Barriers

Article 215.15 addresses barriers in certain electrical distribution equipment supplied by feeder taps or transformer secondary conductors.

The equipment covered in the source material includes:

• Panelboards

• Switchboards

• Switchgear

• Motor control centers

The provision applies to the described installations involving feeder taps under 240.21(B) or transformer secondary conductors under 240.21(C).

Why Are Barriers Required?

Barriers are intended to prevent accidental contact with energized, uninsulated, ungrounded busbars or terminals while working on load terminations.

This protection is important even when the equipment disconnect is open, because parts on the supply side may remain energized.

Key takeaway: Opening a disconnect does not necessarily mean every part inside the equipment is de-energized.

⚡ 215.18 — Surge Protection

Article 215.18 requires surge-protective devices (SPDs) for feeders supplying certain listed occupancies and spaces.

Where Is Surge Protection Required?

The source material identifies the following:

• Dwelling units.

• Dormitories.

• Hotel and motel guest rooms or suites.

• Nursing home or limited-care patient sleeping areas.

• Sleeping quarters in fire, police, ambulance, rescue, and ranger stations.

SPD Location

The SPD must be installed in or adjacent to the distribution equipment on the load side of the feeder, at the point where the equipment contains the branch-circuit overcurrent devices for the applicable spaces.

The source material notes that locating the SPD closer to the branch circuits can improve effectiveness.

Required SPD Type

The SPD must be:

• Type 1, or

• Type 2.

Minimum Rating

The minimum nominal discharge current (In) rating described in this episode is 10 kA.

Replacement Equipment

If the distribution equipment is replaced, the SPD requirement also applies to the replacement equipment, as described in the source material.

🧠 Quick Quiz

Question: A feeder supplies branch circuits for a hotel guest suite. What device does 215.18 require at the distribution equipment?

A) An AFCI breaker

B) A Type 1 or Type 2 surge-protective device

C) A GFCI breaker

D) No special device is required

✅ Correct Answer: B

The source material identifies 215.18(A)(3) as requiring SPD protection for feeders supplying hotel and motel guest rooms and suites, among other listed occupancies.

The SPD must meet the applicable type, location, and rating requirements.

🎉 Article 215 Complete!

That's a wrap on all five episodes of Article 215 — Feeders!

Throughout this series, we've covered the scope of feeder requirements, sizing, overcurrent protection, grounding, GFCI protection, ground-fault protection of equipment, autotransformer feeders, identification, diagrams, common neutrals, barriers, and surge protection.

Follow for more daily quick-hit study notes as we move on to the next article!

⚡ Keep building your NEC knowledge one concept at a time with JoshTheSparky.

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