2008 NEC 550.32 Question

[Cavie]

I ran this past my local electric inspector and it stopped him dead in his tracks. So I decided to run it past all you all. As we know. everyone has an opinion so this could be a long thread. It comes down to the words "Service equipment".

D. Means for connecting a mobile home accessory building or structure or additional equipment located outside a mobile by a fixed wiring methoud shall be provided in either the mobile home service equipment or the external disconecting means permitted in 550.32 (A) states that the service equipment is external and not attached to. My opinion ( see I have one too) is that (D) is refering to the service equipment as being the main panel inside the trailer and the externial disconenting means as being just that. Two different things. After thinking about it the inspector agreed with me BUT he is not the AHJ. If this is required for mobile homes, why not a dwelling unit?? If (A) is the rule than (D) is poorly written. Imagine that!

 

[mjf]

I ran this past my local electric inspector and it stopped him dead in his tracks. So I decided to run it past all you all. As we know. everyone has an opinion so this could be a long thread. It comes down to the words "Service equipment".

D. Means for connecting a mobile home accessory building or structure or additional equipment located outside a mobile by a fixed wiring methoud shall be provided in either the mobile home service equipment or the external disconecting means permitted in 550.32 (A) states that the service equipment is external and not attached to. My opinion ( see I have one too) is that (D) is refering to the service equipment as being the main panel inside the trailer and the externial disconenting means as being just that. Two different things. After thinking about it the inspector agreed with me BUT he is not the AHJ. If this is required for mobile homes, why not a dwelling unit?? If (A) is the rule than (D) is poorly written. Imagine that!

The service equipment in the MH should not be the "main panel" as you stated in your "opinion". Any panel inside a MH should be located downstream from the main disconnect/overcurrent device (usually located as a pedestal or on a pole), and space for additional OCD must be provided there.


But, I'm probably missing the point of your post

 

[Cavie]

The service equipment in the MH should not be the "main panel" as you stated in your "opinion". Any panel inside a MH should be located downstream from the main disconnect/overcurrent device (usually located as a pedestal or on a pole), and space for additional OCD must be provided there.


But, I'm probably missing the point of your post

Read 550.32 (D) and explain it to me. ...........Either the mobile home service disconect or the local external disconecting means. If there are two different things Discribe them to me.

 

[charlie b]

It is a bit awkwardly worded, perhaps, but it is not ambiguous. There is a definition of ?Mobile Home Service Equipment? in 550.2. It is clear that this term applies to something outside the home itself, and not the distribution panel inside the home. What 550.32(A) tells us is that that service equipment can be one of two places. Either the service equipment itself is within sight, or it is someplace else but there is a separate disconnecting means that is within sight.

What 550.32(D) tells us is that if you have an accessory building or other equipment that is outside the home, then that thing cannot be powered from inside the home. It has to be powered by the (outside) service equipment or (in the event that the service equipment is in some far off land and not within sight of the home) by the ?extra? disconnecting means that is within sight of the home.

 

[Smart $]

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Read 550.32 (D) and explain it to me. ...........Either the mobile home service disconect or the local external disconecting means. If there are two different things Discribe them to me.

550.32(A)... first sentence... service disconnecting means not in, on, or >30' from exterior.

Second sentence... service disconnecting means permitted elsewhere, i.e. beyond 30'... local disconnecting means required and not in, on, or >30' from exterior.

The disconnecting means is never inside a mobile home.

 

[Cavie]

It is a bit awkwardly worded, perhaps, but it is not ambiguous. There is a definition of “Mobile Home Service Equipment” in 550.2. It is clear that this term applies to something outside the home itself, and not the distribution panel inside the home. What 550.32(A) tells us is that that service equipment can be one of two places. Either the service equipment itself is within sight, or it is someplace else but there is a separate disconnecting means that is within sight.

What 550.32(D) tells us is that if you have an accessory building or other equipment that is outside the home, then that thing cannot be powered from inside the home. It has to be powered by the (outside) service equipment or (in the event that the service equipment is in some far off land and not within sight of the home) by the “extra” disconnecting means that is within sight of the home.

Let me think about this for a min. I can run from the 1/2 empty 30 ckt 150 amp panel that is in the bedroom on the other side of the wall or I can run to the "Service Equuipment" Which is 40' away on the other side of the trailer on the other side of the driveway and carport! NOT! Did I mention that the "Service Disconect" is a Citizens Insurance outlawed FPE or Zinsco disconect? I have my electric hat on not my inspector hat.

 

[charlie b]

I didn't write the rule, Cavie. I am just giving you my interpretation of what it says, and thereby offering an explanation to answer your question.

 

[jwelectric]

Would you believe that in years gone by it was permissible to install the meter on the outside wall and let the interior panel be the service disconnect and ?D? is addressing this possible installation.