110.26 E 2 B (2014) "Foreign"

[yesterlectric]

The code in prohibiting equipment foreign to the installation being less than 6' above equipment mentions things like pipes and ducts (that could condensate or leak) but still stops short of defining foreign. How do we really know that conduit for different switchgear, or conduits for power limited/communications circuits aren't considered foreign? Is there any history of enforcement, requests for interpretation, or anything similar on this?

 

[Carultch]

Dedicated space is "dedicated" to the electrical installation. Anything governed by the NEC is not considered foreign, as far as this article is concerned, even if unrelated to your application. The intent of this section is to keep the space clear immediately above and below the equipment that requires it, such that there is space available to add conduits. Another electrician running unrelated conduit will understand what a typical panelboard might require in the future, and is less likely to get directly in the way than a plumber or HVAC installer..

It is OK to have unrelated conduit or other wiring methods cross over the dedicated space of your panelboard. Even conduit that only concerns the datcom work, it still isn't considered foreign.

 

[Greentagger]

Refer to 110.26((E)(1)(a). Any type of piping not related to the electrical installation appears to be considered foreign.

 

[Carultch]

The NEC also never uses the word pipe to identify any raceway type. There's tubing like EMT, and there's conduit like RMC and PVC, but no raceway is called "pipe". Calling conduit "piping" is just trade slang.

 

[yesterlectric]

Dedicated space is "dedicated" to the electrical installation. Anything governed by the NEC is not considered foreign, as far as this article is concerned, even if unrelated to your applicationEven conduit that only concerns the datcom work, it still isn't considered foreign.

I think the intent of the section can be obvious but perhaps they should modify the language in the NEC. It says nothing foreign to THE electrical installation can be in the space above the (particular) equipment. This could indicate a prohibition on installing anything (electrical or not) above a particular piece of equipment that is foreign to it . If the intent is to prohibit non-electrical equipment above electrical equipment then perhaps the language should be changed to clarify such. It could instead say that no non-electrical equipment can be located above it.

 

[bwat]

I think the intent of the section can be obvious but perhaps they should modify the language in the NEC. It says nothing foreign to THE electrical installation can be in the space above the (particular) equipment. This could indicate a prohibition on installing anything (electrical or not) above a particular piece of equipment that is foreign to it . If the intent is to prohibit non-electrical equipment above electrical equipment then perhaps the language should be changed to clarify such. It could instead say that no non-electrical equipment can be located above it.

You can submit public input for next round of NEC on nfpa.org. I just did it a couple times last year for the first time. They make it relatively easy to do.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

I think the intent of the section can be obvious but perhaps they should modify the language in the NEC. It says nothing foreign to THE electrical installation can be in the space above the (particular) equipment. This could indicate a prohibition on installing anything (electrical or not) above a particular piece of equipment that is foreign to it . If the intent is to prohibit non-electrical equipment above electrical equipment then perhaps the language should be changed to clarify such. It could instead say that no non-electrical equipment can be located above it.

The dedicate space rule for the specified equipment is to provide wiring space above that equipment. Even conduits or other electrical equipment not associated with the specific equipment below is prohibited from occupying that space. The prohibition is not limited to non-electrical equipment.