The portion of a wiring system between a point of distribution and the branch circuit overcurrent device is called?

• A. Branch circuit
• B. Service entrance
• C. Feeder
• D. Tap conductor

Answer: (C)

Feeder describes the section of wiring that carries power from where the power is distributed to the point where branch circuits are protected by an overcurrent device. In other words, it runs from the distribution equipment (such as the main panel or subpanel) to the first overcurrent device that protects the branch circuits. This is the portion that delivers energy to the panel’s branch circuits, while the branch circuits themselves extend from that protective device out to the loads.

This isn’t the service entrance, which refers to the service conductors and equipment up to the service disconnect, nor is it a branch circuit (which begins after its protective device and goes to a load), nor a tap conductor (a short conductor feeding a circuit from somewhere else).