230.70(A)(1)

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russellroberts

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I installed a 200a ug service on a small warehouse building. Conduit runs from MB 35 ft.under slab,turns up in wood-frame wall to 200a main-breaker panel.

I used a combination MB-disco and 4 wired the feed to the panel. Is the couduit under the slab considered "in" the bldg or no? and could I have done it without the disco outside?

Russell
 
Re: 230.70(A)(1)

Disco not required outside as long as main breaker is in panel. Disconnect required if panel was a MLO. Then 4 wire is also required. Conduit is under (not inside) building.
 
Re: 230.70(A)(1)

Russell
230.6 Conductors Considered Outside the Building.

(1) Where installed under not less than 2 in. of concrete beneath a building or other structure

(4) Where installed in conduit and under not less than 18 in. of earth beneath a building or other structure

Conductors on the load side of the Main Breaker of a service, in your case are not service conductors, they are feeders and do not have to meet the above requirements.

As far as could you have done without the disco outside, the answer is yes as long as when you turn up into the wall (inside the building) with the conductors, you encase them in at least 2 inches of concrete or brick (item (2) in 230.6).

Pierre
 
Re: 230.70(A)(1)

Russel that would be a local AHJ question if you had one. ;)

What that distance is would be subject to the inspectors view of potential physical damage.

I would have no fear of being failed if I came up out of the slab with RMC directly into a panel.

[ February 17, 2004, 09:49 PM: Message edited by: iwire ]
 
Re: 230.70(A)(1)

In my opinion, no. I would have no problem with it.


The only time I would red-tag service conductors inside of a builiding would be due to excessive length, or to improper protection. For example, if the service conductors were a direct burial cable, I would take the literal code text and require that they terminate the second they enter the building. Give me a little protection, PVC for example, and I would allow it to remain in the wall and terminate to a panel.
 
Re: 230.70(A)(1)

Ok,another Q. I recently disagreed with another electrician when he stated"A crawlspace isn't "inside" the building,I argued that it was.

Who's correct?

Russell
 
Re: 230.70(A)(1)

The crawl is in the building.
Here is why:
Why is there restriction on the location of the service disconnecting means to nearest the point of entrance?
The Service Entrance Conductors (SEC)are unfused and can start a fire in a fault. In many locations the length is restricted.
What if there was a ground fault on the SEC in a crawl space?
Would it start a fire?
Yes
What if the SEC were encased in 2" of concrete or under 18" of earth and there was a ground fault?
Would it start a fire? Not likely.

Can I point to a specific code article that puts the crawl space outside of the building?

Perhaps its not a NEC issue, but rather a building code issue.
 
Re: 230.70(A)(1)

I think you are.Reason being it amounts to same thing as a basement,only far less head room.But what would we call this space if it was under a mobile home skirted in or a home built on pillars and no sides.Could argue this both ways.
 
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