- Location
- Windsor, CO NEC: 2017
- Occupation
- Service Manager
so if I put a caisson under a pole light do I have a structure or equipment now? If I screw a panel to a post, what do I have?
A panel that feeds other equipment would be a structure but the equipment itself would not need ground rods etc.
Mmmkay, so if I put a caisson under a pole light do I have a structure or equipment now? If I screw a panel to a post, what do I have?
Mmmkay, so if I put a caisson under a pole light do I have a structure or equipment now? If I screw a panel to a post, what do I have?
Are they trying to screw with us at this point, or...?
I think what they are trying to do is exclude free-standing frameworks whose only purpose is mounting equipment, and don't actually enclose an interior space with walls and a ceiling, from the definition of a building or structure. By the ordinary definition of a structure, a free-standing framework is a structure, as it is something constructed to support a load. But the point is to not apply building specfic rules to it.
So if I build a platform for the HVAC equipment, that platform is a structure, but the HVAC equipment is not part of that structure.
Makes sense.
Mike Holt's graphics person needs to change "build" to "built"
What I assumed was exactly the opposite. That a concrete slab, or an elevated steel framework, or some other structural member assembly whose only purpose is mounting equipment is not a "structure" for NEC purposes. But if you build a house to host equipment, something that people can walk inside, with walls and a roof, it would be.
Before any changes were made most of those items were supplied by a single branch circuit and never required a grounding electrode anyway. Supply them with a feeder though and they possibly did need a grounding electrode.My opinion is that they wanted to say that a single piece of equipment not attached to the house is not a structure. Things like generators, septic pumps, a/c, etc. A panel that feeds other equipment would be a structure but the equipment itself would not need ground rods etc.
Mike Holt's graphics person needs to change "build" to "built"
George, keeping it simple: Yes, and yes.Now, the definition is trying to exclude equipment as "structure" - but my question remains simply, how does this affect normal operations? If I install a pedestal, then I don't need to install a GES, but if I install a panel on a wood post, I do...?
OK let's back up.
We have a definition of Structure.
When does this definition come into play?
I don't think that's correct, Dennis, by this definition.A panel that feeds other equipment would be a structure but the equipment itself would not need ground rods etc.
I don't think that's correct, Dennis, by this definition.
Consider a self contained pedestal, containing a couple of breakers and wiring going to some motors laying flat on the ground. The pedestal is planted directly into the earth with no other support. As I understand the Definition, what I just described is ONLY equipment.
Now, instead of using a self contained pedestal, plant a 4 x 4 treated wood post in the ground and attach a small panel with a couple breakers and wiring going to the same motors. The panel and the wiring and the motors are equipment, still. The 4 x 4 however, is a structure.
I don't think that's correct, Dennis, by this definition.
Consider a self contained pedestal, containing a couple of breakers and wiring going to some motors laying flat on the ground. The pedestal is planted directly into the earth with no other support. As I understand the Definition, what I just described is ONLY equipment.
Now, instead of using a self contained pedestal, plant a 4 x 4 treated wood post in the ground and attach a small panel with a couple breakers and wiring going to the same motors. The panel and the wiring and the motors are equipment, still. The 4 x 4 however, is a structure.