Definition of Electrical Vault vs Electrical room
- Thread starter gt40
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- Lockport, IL
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- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: Definition of Electrical Vault vs Electrical room
I don?t think so. The NEC?s Article 100 definitions do not include the term ?vault,? nor does the NEC make a clear distinction between an ?electric room? and a ?vault.? It does state several circumstances in which certain equipment must be in a vault that meets the construction requirements of 450 Part III. But even 450 Part III does not include a definition of ?vault.?
I don?t think so. The NEC?s Article 100 definitions do not include the term ?vault,? nor does the NEC make a clear distinction between an ?electric room? and a ?vault.? It does state several circumstances in which certain equipment must be in a vault that meets the construction requirements of 450 Part III. But even 450 Part III does not include a definition of ?vault.?
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: Definition of Electrical Vault vs Electrical room
I recall that the 1999 added rules for underground vaults I don't have my NEC, but the rules came from a ANSI standard. these are vaults for personell entry.
I recall that the 1999 added rules for underground vaults I don't have my NEC, but the rules came from a ANSI standard. these are vaults for personell entry.
websparky
Senior Member
- Location
- Cleveland, Ohio
Re: Definition of Electrical Vault vs Electrical room
Hi Guys,
If a "room" meets these specifications, it's a "vault".
Hi Guys,
If a "room" meets these specifications, it's a "vault".
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: Definition of Electrical Vault vs Electrical room
I know I?m being a nit-picker here. But a ?nit? is the egg of a louse, and who wants lice to grow to adulthood? The basic problem that I have with the NEC is the absence of the distinction that I mention in my first post above.
I don?t think this set of specifications constitutes a definition of ?vault.? I think the logic flows in the opposite direction. If you need to have a vault (450.21(C) is one article that requires one), then the article you quoted tells us how to build one. However, I can build a room that meets those specifications, and use it as a wine cellar, and it will not be, by definition, a ?vault.?
I know I?m being a nit-picker here. But a ?nit? is the egg of a louse, and who wants lice to grow to adulthood? The basic problem that I have with the NEC is the absence of the distinction that I mention in my first post above.
websparky
Senior Member
- Location
- Cleveland, Ohio
Re: Definition of Electrical Vault vs Electrical room
Charlie,
I can see your point.
As we both know, the NEC is not an instruction manual nor is it THE answer to every question.
If it were, the amount of posts on all of the forums would likely be far less.
However, there are usually guidelines that we can ferret out and learn something from, just like in these forums.
Often times many members are looking for exact code references. Other times, they are simply asking for help in understanding. If we as fellow experienced electricians do not offer our opinions and guidance, we are doing a disservice to ourselves and those that are doing the asking.
Personally, I would rather give some advice or opinion that could help, rather than just saying the code does not answer the question and then comment on the inadequateness of the code.
The requirements listed in the code does describe a vault. However, you could build a wine celler to the same specs. But then, the subject was "vaults"!
Charlie,
I can see your point.
As we both know, the NEC is not an instruction manual nor is it THE answer to every question.
If it were, the amount of posts on all of the forums would likely be far less.
However, there are usually guidelines that we can ferret out and learn something from, just like in these forums.
Often times many members are looking for exact code references. Other times, they are simply asking for help in understanding. If we as fellow experienced electricians do not offer our opinions and guidance, we are doing a disservice to ourselves and those that are doing the asking.
Personally, I would rather give some advice or opinion that could help, rather than just saying the code does not answer the question and then comment on the inadequateness of the code.
The requirements listed in the code does describe a vault. However, you could build a wine celler to the same specs. But then, the subject was "vaults"!
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: Definition of Electrical Vault vs Electrical room
The problem that I wish us all to avoid, would arise from that notion that if there is a transformer (or at least a big transformer) in a room, that room must necessarily be a ?vault,? and it must therefore conform to 450.21(C). This is not true.
Then please allow me to state my opinion: I believe we should put the word ?vault? on our list of ?words we know but do not use often.? During conversations among friends, the term has been loosely applied to any room with a heavy door or any box-shaped space that is buried under dirt. But when we are bidding, designing, building, or inspecting, we should be careful to avoid ?Conversational English.? We should say ?vault? only when the technical requirements of the project explicitly demand the use of that word. And we should acknowledge that this type of project is rare.
The problem that I wish us all to avoid, would arise from that notion that if there is a transformer (or at least a big transformer) in a room, that room must necessarily be a ?vault,? and it must therefore conform to 450.21(C). This is not true.
websparky
Senior Member
- Location
- Cleveland, Ohio
Re: Definition of Electrical Vault vs Electrical room
I whole-heartedly agree!
I whole-heartedly agree!
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