I moved a new manufactured home into a mobile home park in Santa Cruz CA. The state inspector is making me move the electric pedestal because it is too close to the house. He says it has to be 15" on center. I have looked on he HCD web site and can't find anything that says that, but it keeps referring to the National Electric Code. This pedestal opens front and back and the side faces the home. Can someone tell me the code for this type of installation?
Electric pedestal in mobile home park
- Thread starter Patty S
- Start date
- Status
charlie
Senior Member
- Location
- Indianapolis
Re: Electric pedestal in mobile home park
Sorry Patty, this sounds like either a local code or the inspector is throwing his weight around.
Sorry Patty, this sounds like either a local code or the inspector is throwing his weight around.
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: Electric pedestal in mobile home park
I have to agree.
There are rules in the NEC about having working clearance in front of any electrical component. But if this pedestal does not open in the direction of the home, then I can't see that being the problem. I don't know of any other NEC rule that would apply. I don't have a copy of the California Electrical Code, and don't know if there are any rules that apply to the City of Santa Cruz. Each jurisdiction is free to make up its own rules.
My only suggestion is that you (politely) ask the Inspector to tell you the rule that he is using to call your installation a violation. He is obliged to tell you that information. If he just says something vague or intimidating (such as "I know the rules, and this is a violation"), then you have the option of speaking to his boss.
I have to agree.
There are rules in the NEC about having working clearance in front of any electrical component. But if this pedestal does not open in the direction of the home, then I can't see that being the problem. I don't know of any other NEC rule that would apply. I don't have a copy of the California Electrical Code, and don't know if there are any rules that apply to the City of Santa Cruz. Each jurisdiction is free to make up its own rules.
My only suggestion is that you (politely) ask the Inspector to tell you the rule that he is using to call your installation a violation. He is obliged to tell you that information. If he just says something vague or intimidating (such as "I know the rules, and this is a violation"), then you have the option of speaking to his boss.
Re: Electric pedestal in mobile home park
This is not a local Santa Cruz code. He is saying it is a state code. He gave me the place to look it up. hcd.ca.gov title 25 division 1 chapter 2. It doesn't say anything about the setback, but mentions the National Electric Code. Thanks for your input. I'm going to call and ask for something written.
Patty
This is not a local Santa Cruz code. He is saying it is a state code. He gave me the place to look it up. hcd.ca.gov title 25 division 1 chapter 2. It doesn't say anything about the setback, but mentions the National Electric Code. Thanks for your input. I'm going to call and ask for something written.
Patty
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: Electric pedestal in mobile home park
I looked through the CA web site, and did not find any kind of "15 inch distance rule." It did not refer to the NEC. However, it did refer to the California Electrical Code. As I stated above, I do not have a copy. But I believe that it is essentially the NEC, marked up as thought appropriate by California authorities. So if there is a "15 inch distance rule," it would be there.
Any CA residents in the room? Anybody have a copy of the CA Electrical Code?
I looked through the CA web site, and did not find any kind of "15 inch distance rule." It did not refer to the NEC. However, it did refer to the California Electrical Code. As I stated above, I do not have a copy. But I believe that it is essentially the NEC, marked up as thought appropriate by California authorities. So if there is a "15 inch distance rule," it would be there.
Any CA residents in the room? Anybody have a copy of the CA Electrical Code?
Re: Electric pedestal in mobile home park
Thanks for your replys. This has taken another twist. It turns out that the equipment belongs to Pacific Gas & Electric. They have no problem with the location of the pedestal. The rep is going to try to help me. This can delay me another 6 weeks if PG&E fixes it. I have the rule; title 25, Division 1, Chapter 2, Article 3, #1183. Its the 30 inch wide rule. Right now its 24 inches wide.
Is there a way to get the state to waive this rule? possibly having PG&E say they approve it? Or getting a conditional permit with the pedestal being fixed at a later date?
Pat
Thanks for your replys. This has taken another twist. It turns out that the equipment belongs to Pacific Gas & Electric. They have no problem with the location of the pedestal. The rep is going to try to help me. This can delay me another 6 weeks if PG&E fixes it. I have the rule; title 25, Division 1, Chapter 2, Article 3, #1183. Its the 30 inch wide rule. Right now its 24 inches wide.
Is there a way to get the state to waive this rule? possibly having PG&E say they approve it? Or getting a conditional permit with the pedestal being fixed at a later date?
Pat
charlie
Senior Member
- Location
- Indianapolis
Re: Electric pedestal in mobile home park
Patty, it may be a problem with the interpretation of the rule. If it is 30 in. wide, is the 30 in. required to be centered on the equipment (I think not)? Secondly, if it is equipment that is owned by PG&E, this Code would not apply but another CA Code would apply (in the rest of the country, it is the NESC). If I were the representative from PG&E, I would not move it unless someone is interested in picking up the freight.
Patty, it may be a problem with the interpretation of the rule. If it is 30 in. wide, is the 30 in. required to be centered on the equipment (I think not)? Secondly, if it is equipment that is owned by PG&E, this Code would not apply but another CA Code would apply (in the rest of the country, it is the NESC). If I were the representative from PG&E, I would not move it unless someone is interested in picking up the freight.
Re: Electric pedestal in mobile home park
Thank you for your input.
The code actually says thirty inches wide and thirty-six inches in front of centered on the equipment. It was a nice thought though.
I was wrong about PG&E owning the equipment. I misunderstood. Actually the residents own the equipment (co-op), and are individually metered. PG&E owns the other equipment in the park and it is their wires that run to the pedestal, so they will have to work with my electrician to move it.
I met the PG&E rep today, and she will call the inspector and tell them they have no problem with the working space. Checking the other meters in the park, (old homes) there are horrible violations and safety issues. Next door, the face of the meter is directly against the metal railing on the back stair, and closer to the house than mine is. There is no access.
I'm learning it will cost over $1,000 to move it 6 inches.
Are there any more lovely suggestions?
Patty
Thank you for your input.
The code actually says thirty inches wide and thirty-six inches in front of centered on the equipment. It was a nice thought though.
I was wrong about PG&E owning the equipment. I misunderstood. Actually the residents own the equipment (co-op), and are individually metered. PG&E owns the other equipment in the park and it is their wires that run to the pedestal, so they will have to work with my electrician to move it.
I met the PG&E rep today, and she will call the inspector and tell them they have no problem with the working space. Checking the other meters in the park, (old homes) there are horrible violations and safety issues. Next door, the face of the meter is directly against the metal railing on the back stair, and closer to the house than mine is. There is no access.
I'm learning it will cost over $1,000 to move it 6 inches.
Are there any more lovely suggestions?
Patty
charlie
Senior Member
- Location
- Indianapolis
Re: Electric pedestal in mobile home park
Bake a pie for the inspector, move the home 6 in., talk to the inspector's supervisor and take the pie to him, or relocate the pedestal.
Bake a pie for the inspector, move the home 6 in., talk to the inspector's supervisor and take the pie to him, or relocate the pedestal.
bphgravity
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
Re: Electric pedestal in mobile home park
Some inspectors don't like pie, cupcakes would be nice.Originally posted by charlie:
...Bake a pie for the inspector...
Re: Electric pedestal in mobile home park
I asked the salesgirl from the company I bought it from to show up in one of her low cut tops and high heels. She's pretty hot. She didn't, but said she will next time.
I'll do the apple pie or cupcakes as a backup, but I think the cleavage and the lovely smile will be more of a distraction.
Pattyjavascript:void(0)
Razz
I asked the salesgirl from the company I bought it from to show up in one of her low cut tops and high heels. She's pretty hot. She didn't, but said she will next time.
I'll do the apple pie or cupcakes as a backup, but I think the cleavage and the lovely smile will be more of a distraction.
Pattyjavascript:void(0)
Razz
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