bigike1616
Member
- Location
- miami, Florida
need some guidance 90.2 (b) 4 (not covered) installations of communications equipment under exclusive control of communications utilities does this apply to the service, mains and feeders as well
90.2(b)
- Thread starter bigike1616
- Start date
Elect117
Senior Member
- Location
- California
- Occupation
- Engineer E.E. P.E.
Not always.
I don't know how the rules are in Florida around utility work but I can only explain a little about how it works near me.
Communication utilities regulated at a state or federal level are required to conform to industry standards and have either a set of internal documents detailing the rules for their construction or utilize professional engineers to certify safety and compliance. The easiest way to do that, and the most common way, is to use established codes and standards.
Where the grey area comes in is when contractors are used. They are not given the same leeway. They are, by contract, typically required to prove safety, reliability, etc. A contractor is also (depending on state law) typically required to complete work under a permit.
You can start to see where things get messy. A permit means an inspector. An inspector can mean NEC compliance, and so on.
From my experience, telco usually only pulls a permit on work completed on services, feeders, interconnection of generators and any structure work. They don't usually pull permits for work done on a tower, with communication equipment (like racks, eth switches, routing equip), ground beds, etc. That stuff is usually engineered / monitored by the communication utility themselves.
It also starts to get overlap when a telco installs a tower for other utilities to install their radio equipment on. But I won't go there unless that is your issue.
I don't know how the rules are in Florida around utility work but I can only explain a little about how it works near me.
Communication utilities regulated at a state or federal level are required to conform to industry standards and have either a set of internal documents detailing the rules for their construction or utilize professional engineers to certify safety and compliance. The easiest way to do that, and the most common way, is to use established codes and standards.
Where the grey area comes in is when contractors are used. They are not given the same leeway. They are, by contract, typically required to prove safety, reliability, etc. A contractor is also (depending on state law) typically required to complete work under a permit.
You can start to see where things get messy. A permit means an inspector. An inspector can mean NEC compliance, and so on.
From my experience, telco usually only pulls a permit on work completed on services, feeders, interconnection of generators and any structure work. They don't usually pull permits for work done on a tower, with communication equipment (like racks, eth switches, routing equip), ground beds, etc. That stuff is usually engineered / monitored by the communication utility themselves.
It also starts to get overlap when a telco installs a tower for other utilities to install their radio equipment on. But I won't go there unless that is your issue.
Elect117
Senior Member
- Location
- California
- Occupation
- Engineer E.E. P.E.
Part of the reason some Telcos pull permits is because the power utility requires it. Like on electrical release. Some utilities require the building inspectors certification to energize.
bigike1616
Member
- Location
- miami, Florida
Exactly what i am experiencing the utility wants a connect code to release a meter however it is unclear to me where my Jurisdiction lies if they are exempt from the NEC what standard exactly is being used to inspect and what i look at ground rods, bonding and wire size at the service however is AIC labeling or compartmentalization of the Mains part of the enforcement??? Many of these pieces of equipment come with the meter on one side and a couple 20 amp breakers on the other with receptacles that are not GFCI protected which cannot be because the equipment being served cannot afford nuisance trips however the equipment while being listed is still in violation of the NEC 210.8(b)
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Elect117
Senior Member
- Location
- California
- Occupation
- Engineer E.E. P.E.
If you are the inspector then you could make the decision to only inspect the service and main for utility compliance. Then give them the okay to energize.
When the 5G sites were going up more often the inspectors would need to the clear the meter/main combo or pedestals but quoted Art. 90 for the rest. Saying it was outside of their jurisdiction to review the wiring for compliance on distribution poles and for communication utility hardware.
But it is up to you. (if you are the inspector)
If you are the contractor or telco provider, then just ask the inspector to clear the service equipment and put that as the scope of work and the only work pertaining to the permit. Most inspectors know the deal when they see AT&T, American Tower, Crown Castle, etc. pulling a building permit.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
In my opinion all other electrical equipment down to the branch circuits it subject to the requirements of the NEC. The only things that is not covered it the communications equipment and wiring.