Is this legal?

[ramsy]

Client called me to add additional loads, which trigger existing load-calc 220.83 and reveal feeder-fire hazard.

POCO meter spot, permits, or inspection should have resulted in correction of undersized 30A feeder, before the panel flipper's new SQ-D.

220.83 load calc for existing dwellings is simple enough without relying on Appendix D examples.

General Lighting & Plugs:
(50 x 53)ft dwelling = 8,000 VA x 100%
1 Kit. & Laundry SABC = 3,000 VA x 40%
Nameplate of Fastened / Located Appliances:
Natural Gas Water heater & Oven = NA
Natural Gas FAU = 600 x 40%
Refrigerator Average = 300 VA x 40%
Range hood = 200 VA x 40%
Totals:
(8,000 + 4,100 *0.4) / 240v = 40.2 Amps

This 30A feeder was undersized per 220.83 @ 40.2 Amps, before panel flippers new 100A box.

Proposed Additional New Loads that triggered 220.83
2 Electric Gate Openers = 1100 VA x 40%
----------
(8,000 + 5,200 *0.4) / 240v = 48 Amps

Many existing southern California track homes were built with a furnace FAU, not Air Conditioning. Since the climate zone bakes near 100°F in summer, and shade trees are long gone, most fixed AC appliances require a NEC 220.83(B) load calc --calculated at 100% of the additional load--. Which appears to have been avoided by this panel flipper who ripped out old box, and left old 30A service feeders in place.

Now the dwelling is not occupied, and plywood covers windows where AC's may have been removed, but I doubt POCO meter spot nor Inspectors were ever given a chance to correct this 30A feeder on 40A breaker, before new occupant appliances let the wire become the fuse that ignites the roof.