Add Holes to Panel?

B

blackmountain

Member
Location
Northern California
Occupation
General Contractor with electrical and plumbing classifications.
There shouldn't be any problem with punching a hole in the side of the meter main, right? I need to run some large feeders to the sub-panel to the left of it. I have to get three 3/0 wires from the panel on the right, to the one on the left, and using conduit bodies would be tight...even with 2". There are knockouts on the bottom that I can use, using the sides would be a lot cleaner (I think?)

ThanksIMG_3966.jpeg
 
For above live parts—- is that only for on top of the enclosure would a side penetration be above live if it’s at the top of the enclosure??? Just wondering
 
blackmountain said:
There shouldn't be any problem with punching a hole in the side of the meter main, right? I need to run some large feeders to the sub-panel to the left of it. I have to get three 3/0 wires from the panel on the right, to the one on the left, and using conduit bodies would be tight...even with 2". There are knockouts on the bottom that I can use, using the sides would be a lot cleaner (I think?)

ThanksView attachment 2579670
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Did you check with your inspector to see if they are going to ignore 230.71(B)?

Supply houses should not be selling those multi meter panels now. Siemens does make complaint versions now.
 
LarryFine said:
Okay, and no need for water-proof if below energized parts.
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Sorry to go off topic, but.

I went to a pump station in Jersey on the Delaware river to fix some controls about 20 years ago, and when I was done they asked me to look at water leaking out of the trough in the basement. I went down there and the water was above my ankles, there was a submersible pump running in the corner pumping out the lake on the floor, and all the troughs were squirting water out of every place water could squirt from.

The operator told me that it was only bad like that at high tide. I told him I'd be back to look when the tide was low. Then I got a call for an emergency clarifier drive repair at a paper mill in SW Georgia and had to fly down there, I was down there for 2 weeks and it became someone else's nightmare
 
infinity said:
Above live parts would include entries in the side as well.
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I’ve always thought that, but is that really above life parts? It’s on the side of it not above it. If any water gets in, it’s gonna drip down the sides and never get on the bus bars or any live parts. You know what I mean.
I approach it like you were thinking, but I’ve always wondered that.
 
AC\DC said:
I’ve always thought that, but is that really above life parts? It’s on the side of it not above it. If any water gets in, it’s gonna drip down the sides and never get on the bus bars or any live parts. You know what I mean.
I approach it like you were thinking, but I’ve always wondered that.
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You draw a level line across the bottom of the live uninsulated parts anything above that has enter with a fitting listed for wet locations. Certainly water if entering above live parts can travel on the conductors and into the live parts. If the entry is below the live parts it's unlikely that the water will travel "uphill" to hit the live parts.

312.2 Damp and Wet Locations.
In damp or wet locations, surface-type enclosures within the scope of this article shall be placed or equipped so as to prevent moisture or water from entering and accumulating within the cabinet or cutout box, and shall be mounted so there is at least 6-mm (1∕ 4-in.) airspace between the enclosure and the wall or other supporting surface. Enclosures installed in wet locations shall be weatherproof. For enclosures in wet
locations, raceways or cables entering above the level of uninsulated live parts shall use fittings listed for wet locations.
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AC\DC said:
I’ve always thought that, but is that really above life parts? It’s on the side of it not above it. If any water gets in, it’s gonna drip down the sides and never get on the bus bars or any live parts. You know what I mean.
I approach it like you were thinking, but I’ve always wondered that.
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Even a proper top side entry still will let condensation drain down the inside of raceway and follow conductors right into a termination. Short nipple from one enclosure down into top of another I don't have too much trouble with, but it happens easily with longer raceway runs. Not as severe of an issue with a drop into typical meter enclosure with lay in lugs but still somewhat of an issue.

Yes side entry will drip down the sides and isn't really too much of a problem however Charlies rule (nobody has mentioned that for some time now) does come into play.
 
infinity said:
You draw a level line across the bottom of the live uninsulated parts anything above that has enter with a fitting listed for wet locations. Certainly water if entering above live parts can travel on the conductors and into the live parts. If the entry is below the live parts it's unlikely that the water will travel "uphill" to hit the live parts.
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Thank you for the feedback. In this case, would a piece of sch80 PVC in between two PVC male adapters with sealing locknuts be sufficient?
 
curt swartz said:
Did you check with your inspector to see if they are going to ignore 230.71(B)?

Supply houses should not be selling those multi meter panels now. Siemens does make complaint versions now.
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They approved the plans knowing the panel I was going to use, so yeah...I guess!
 
roger said:
I wouldn't use sch 80
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What would you recommend I do here? I'm all ears. Rigid offset nipple with sealing locknuts? Offset nipple into myers hubs?

Disclaimer: I'm licensed, but I keep it inactive. I'm doing this entire project myself on a property I own. It's a permitted project, it will be inspected, the utility is involved as well. I haven't used my license and worked full time in electrical for 20+ years, and best practices have evolved/improved.

Thank you.
 
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