Could I get a quick answer please. Temp Service

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zeilzabob

Member
I have a temp. service installed. From that service I have to go up and over an entry to a parking lot to feed a job trailer with SO cord. Do I have to be at 18' or are there other codes that apply to temp services and branch conductors.
 

A/A Fuel GTX

Senior Member
Location
WI & AZ
Occupation
Electrician
A truck or a piece of equipment will still take your drop out even if it is temporary. 225.18 would still apply.
 

charlie

Senior Member
Location
Indianapolis
zeilzabob said:
I have a temp. service installed. From that service I have to go up and over an entry to a parking lot to feed a job trailer with SO cord. Do I have to be at 18' or are there other codes that apply to temp services and branch conductors.
First, you have to meet 590.2(A) Other Articles. Except as specifically modified in this article, all other requirements of this Code for permanent wiring shall apply to temporary wiring installations.

Since there are no provisions to do something else, you must comply with 225.18 and determine which of the clearance requirements apply to your situation. I am guessing that 18 feet is correct and this is a parking area subject to truck traffic. If it is not subject to truck traffic and the voltage is not 480, it looks like 12 feet would be OK. :)
 

jetlag

Senior Member
zeilzabob said:
I have a temp. service installed. From that service I have to go up and over an entry to a parking lot to feed a job trailer with SO cord. Do I have to be at 18' or are there other codes that apply to temp services and branch conductors.

well you will sure be protected legally at 18 ft but it is very very unlikely to get knocked down at 15 ft because the legal limit on trucks is 14 ft 7 in. unless permits and escorts are provided.
 

charlie

Senior Member
Location
Indianapolis
jetlag said:
. . . it is very very unlikely to get knocked down at 15 ft . . .
You still have to meet the Code requirements. :)
225.18(4) 5.5 m (18 ft) ? over public streets, alleys, roads, parking areas subject to truck traffic, driveways on other than residential property, and other land traversed by vehicles, such as cultivated, grazing, forest, and orchard
 

jetlag

Senior Member
charlie said:
You still have to meet the Code requirements. :)
225.18(4) 5.5 m (18 ft) ? over public streets, alleys, roads, parking areas subject to truck traffic, driveways on other than residential property, and other land traversed by vehicles, such as cultivated, grazing, forest, and orchard
I believe one could argue that extension cords dont fall under same rules as pc service drop since it is tempory and protected by a circuit breaker. By the same token you dont have to bury an extension cord 2 ft deep every time you run it across the yard.
 

A/A Fuel GTX

Senior Member
Location
WI & AZ
Occupation
Electrician
There are many high profile vehicles/pieces of equipment on a construction site. I've seen some well dilling rigs that stand pretty tall. Your analogy of a cord on the ground isn't a good arguement.
 

charlie

Senior Member
Location
Indianapolis
jetlag said:
. . . extension cords dont fall under same rules as pc service drop since it is tempory and protected by a circuit breaker. . .
How do you get around this provision? 590.2(A) Other Articles. Except as specifically modified in this article, all other requirements of this Code for permanent wiring shall apply to temporary wiring installations.

BTW, Article 225 doesn't cover power company service drops. :)
 

jetlag

Senior Member
A/A Fuel GTX said:
There are many high profile vehicles/pieces of equipment on a construction site. I've seen some well dilling rigs that stand pretty tall. Your analogy of a cord on the ground isn't a good arguement.
Well I think it is a good argument because if he is dead set on the code how does he plan to get the s.o. over to the drive way ? will it pass on the ground for equiptment to run over? no it has to be moved out of the way the same as the over head drop. Why doesnt he just bury across the drive in a piece of 2" pvc and he can easily pull it back out?
 

paul

Senior Member
Location
Snohomish, WA
jetlag said:
Well I think it is a good argument because if he is dead set on the code how does he plan to get the s.o. over to the drive way ? will it pass on the ground for equiptment to run over? no it has to be moved out of the way the same as the over head drop. Why doesnt he just bury across the drive in a piece of 2" pvc and he can easily pull it back out?

Be careful. We had a temp service turned down once because the SO was ran through conduit. It's not approved for the application. This GRS that ran just under some 4" crushed rock. AHJ said the cord was rated for extra hard usage and not in conduit. So we pulled it out and it passed.
 

jetlag

Senior Member
paul said:
Be careful. We had a temp service turned down once because the SO was ran through conduit. It's not approved for the application. This GRS that ran just under some 4" crushed rock. AHJ said the cord was rated for extra hard usage and not in conduit. So we pulled it out and it passed.[/QUOTE

I think every one reading will know that the S O was much better off in that conduit than being ground around in the gravel. But you are right ,thats the code. I break it all the time when I wire septic tank pump alarms . There are 3 S O cables buried to the tank from the alarm and power source. You have a big mess if you have to replace the pump float valve or other parts so I started runing the cables in a piece of 2" pvc . Now I can pull the factory install SO out with the plugs still on and slide the new one in. It passes inspection every time .
 

cowboyjwc

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Simi Valley, CA
I tell EC's this all the time, electricity doesn't know if it's permanent or temporary.

Just because it's not going to be there a long time doesn't mean it shouldn't be installed correctly.
 

iwire

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Massachusetts
I agree with Charlie

jetlag said:
I believe one could argue that extension cords dont fall under same rules as pc service drop since it is tempory and protected by a circuit breaker.

What circuit is not 'protected by a circuit breaker'?

The rules in 225 apply to feeders and branch circuits so they would all be protected by circuit breaker.



By the same token you dont have to bury an extension cord 2 ft deep every time you run it across the yard.

One thing has nothing to do with the other.

It really seems you are trying to apply the 'If it's difficult we can ignore it' exception. :wink:
 
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