Clearance

Status
Not open for further replies.
A

arrail.thomas

Member
Location
US
Does the code requires workspace clearance for a meter base and HVAC condenser unit disconnects.
I have a cuatomer who just fired their electrician and hired my company to finish/cleanup the mess. What I noticed is that the home was built as a new construction and the 2 AC UNIT outdoors were right in front of the meter base and the disconnects were installed behind them too. I'm at the last stages and before i order wire or try to finish up. Do you think there will be a problem?

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk
 
Meter bases are not required by NEC, POCO may have some rules on clearances, mine does.
As far as your AC disconnects see 110.26 A
 
All of the POCO's around here require clearance in front of the meter.

The AC disconnect clearance has been argued here ad nauseum, IMO it is required. Here in NJ the State has decided it's not required so that's how they enforce it.
 
infinity said:
All of the POCO's around here require clearance in front of the meter.

The AC disconnect clearance has been argued here ad nauseum, IMO it is required. Here in NJ the State has decided it's not required so that's how they enforce it.
Click to expand...
Some places say you must have 110.26 clearances if the device has overcurrent protection in it.

NEC is not all that clear in this regard. If you want to take it for what it says, you might say workspace is required for any junction box with splices within it, because one can test for voltage (examine while energized) in that box.
 
kwired said:
NEC is not all that clear in this regard. If you want to take it for what it says, you might say workspace is required for any junction box with splices within it, because one can test for voltage (examine while energized) in that box.
Click to expand...

As I stated this has been discussed before but for an AC disconnect we all know that someone will be testing the disconnect while energized if there is a problem with the unit. Given the choice between popping open the disconnect cover and sticking your tester leads in there versus removing screws and the cover on the unit, 99 out of 100 will check the disco first. I've done it many times myself. IMO fuses or no fuses makes no difference.
 
infinity said:
As I stated this has been discussed before but for an AC disconnect we all know that someone will be testing the disconnect while energized if there is a problem with the unit. Given the choice between popping open the disconnect cover and sticking your tester leads in there versus removing screws and the cover on the unit, 99 out of 100 will check the disco first. I've done it many times myself. IMO fuses or no fuses makes no difference.
Click to expand...
I agree. I also have many times crawled into crawlspace and taken voltage readings in junction boxes or other enclosures. Another key word in the code is "likely"

Still one of the worst code sections that the CMP seems to think is fine the way it is. Pretty sure people have tried to clarify it but is always rejected.
 
Vince1971 said:
I believe the opening statement of 110.26 covers it well. A j-box is not equipment. IMO
Click to expand...

Depends on whose definition you use. The NEC has such a generic definition even a locknut could be equipment.

Equipment. A general term, including fittings, devices, appliances, luminaires, apparatus, machinery, and the like used as a
part of, or in connection with, an electrical installation.
Click to expand...
 
kwired said:
I agree. I also have many times crawled into crawlspace and taken voltage readings in junction boxes or other enclosures. Another key word in the code is "likely"

Still one of the worst code sections that the CMP seems to think is fine the way it is. Pretty sure people have tried to clarify it but is always rejected.
Click to expand...
I agree, I've argued that it would require receptacles to have working clearance, by the wording of the code
 
dkidd said:
The way the OP describes it, the disconnects are in the required space and need to be moved.
Click to expand...
I thought he was talking about the condenser being in front of the disconnect. The section that was quoted was talking about the door for the condenser needing clearance, and you are correct you cannot put the disconnect on that panel.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top