Romex sheath is not generally considered much protection. The intent of the code is that the tap wires that are not adequately protected by the feeder over current protective device have hardened physical protection. My read is that they need to be in conduit or some substantial enclosure.

Also at issue is the question: is the romex wire protected "by other means"? Judgement call.

See citation below from 240.21(B):

(2) Taps Not over 7.5 m (25 ft) Long. Where the length of
the tap conductors does not exceed 7.5 m (25 ft) and the tap
conductors comply with all the following:
(1) The ampacity of the tap conductors is not less than
one-third of the rating of the overcurrent device protecting
the feeder conductors.
(2) The tap conductors terminate in a single circuit breaker
or a single set of fuses that limit the load to the ampacity
of the tap conductors. This device shall be permitted
to supply any number of additional overcurrent devices
on its load side.
(3) The tap conductors are protected from physical damage
by being enclosed in an approved raceway or by other
approved means.

End of citation

William Miller







At 01:06 PM 10/25/2011, you wrote:
William,

The tap conductor ampacity must not be less than the rating of the breaker
protecting that circuit, which in this case (if I understand the configuration
correctly) would be the main breaker in the panelboard.

Any smaller gauge would require its own OCP device of appropriate rating
if it's to be code-compliant.

Dan



--- On Tue, 10/25/11, William Miller <[email protected]> wrote:

From: William Miller <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Feeder without a dedicated breaker
To: "RE-wrenches" <[email protected]>
Date: Tuesday, October 25, 2011, 2:54 PM

Jamie:

Thanks for getting me started. I did not think to consider this as a tap, but it appears to match the criteria.

William Miller



At 11:38 AM 10/25/2011, you wrote:
William, I would start with Article 240.21(B).

Jamie Johnson
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