NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE ENGINEERING DIVISION STATEMENT ON SECTION 230-70(a)
The Engineering Division of the Department of Insurance states its position relative to 230-70(a) NEC? as follows:
"Service entrance conductors routed from their point of entrance into the structure, to their point of attachment to the service enclosure a distance horizontally not more than twice the nominal width of the service enclosure and vertically not more than the greater of 5 feet or twice the nominal height of the service enclosure shall be considered to be in compliance with the requirements of 230-70(a) of the current National Electrical Code. Service entrance conductors may be routed in the most direct route or at right angles. Service entrance conductors in excess of these specified limits will not be allowed unless specifically authorized by special permission from the electrical inspector having jurisdiction to accommodate adverse site conditions which would not reasonably allow installation within this criteria."
By stating such interpretation, it is specifically not the intent of this Division to encourage the utilization of excessive lengths of service conductors when more direct routes are otherwise available; nor, to discourage local jurisdictions from allowing lengths beyond those specified when reasonable prudence and judgment would indicate reasonable necessity to accommodate safety or adverse site conditions. This Division will however render Code interpretations pertaining to 230-7 O( a) within these constraints and refer requests for special permission exclusively to the electrical inspector having jurisdiction .'
Original issue May 1991
Updated June 1994
