Detached main panel.

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Flanative

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Labelle , Fl
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Electrical Contractor
I have a customer asking us to bid an elevated dwelling. Service is already done and built by another contractor. Basically want us to do the rough and trim. Pretty straightforward with the exception that the main panel is Detached and on a concrete pedestal 3’ away from the footprint of the building and the dwelling is on the second story. Customer doesn’t want a panel in the home due to EMF sensitivity. Anyone ever had a situation like this. I’m struggling with code compliance on this. Any insight?
 
Flanative said:
I have a customer asking us to bid an elevated dwelling. Service is already done and built by another contractor. Basically want us to do the rough and trim. Pretty straightforward with the exception that the main panel is Detached and on a concrete pedestal 3’ away from the footprint of the building and the dwelling is on the second story. Customer doesn’t want a panel in the home due to EMF sensitivity. Anyone ever had a situation like this. I’m struggling with code compliance on this. Any insight?
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What makes him think that the panel will generate EMF?

Offer him an adder to do all the wiring in EMT instead of Romex to reduce EMF.

Offer him other adders to install RFI filters at each receptacle and light fixture. He is going to have a major sensitivity issue when he finds out how much EMF is generated by LED lighting.
 
petersonra said:
What makes him think that the panel will generate EMF?

Offer him an adder to do all the wiring in EMT instead of Romex to reduce EMF.

Offer him other adders to install RFI filters at each receptacle and light fixture. He is going to have a major sensitivity issue when he finds out how much EMF is generated by LED lighting.
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No clue other than she must’ve read it somewhere.
EMT would be virtually impossible due to how it is framed. (Everything on 12” centers).
she wants no microwave, no tvs, no LED lighting, all lights incandescent.
 
Use MC cable with metal boxes. The panel has to be in or on the structure.
 
I’m don’t think nm vs emt/metal clad is that much of a factor as compared to current. My issue is the location of the panel.
 
I would think that many individual circuit wires would radiate more than a single feeder (if at all).

Her request would end up with multiple branch circuits supplying a separate structure, which is not compliant.
 
I had a similar situation where the boss sent me out to on of his dads boarding houses that his dad did most of the wiring, and mounted the panels about two feet away on posts. He ran two two inch pvc conduits underground to the house. I knew the inspector would turn him down, so I convinced him to attach a roof from the posts, to the house, so technically it was part of the structure. He didn’t want the tenants to have access to the panels. Something about them being on parole from the local jail! LOL!
 
AC\DC said:
I feel for you those type of clients are a pain. This won’t be the last weird thing she ask for, maybe walk away
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This.
Don’t do the job. All of her future health issues (real or imagined) will be blamed on your wiring.

I’d like to hear the story about why the guy who installed the panel didn’t finish the job!
 
infinity said:
Well it cannot stay where it is so put it in a closet and line the entire room with metal sheeting. That should satisfy even the kookiest of kooks.
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Did 2020 change the definition of a structure? I thought I had seen somewhere that it was changing or being looked at.
 
Print out the Wikipedia page on Faraday Cage and ask her to read it and tell her an electrical panel is an example of that and ask her if she still thinks she needs it.
 
retirede said:
This.
Don’t do the job. All of her future health issues (real or imagined) will be blamed on your wiring.

I’d like to hear the story about why the guy who installed the panel didn’t finish the job!
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When a contractor leaves a job, it's good to know the reason.
 
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