Failed inspection: Mini split condenser and panel distance requirement?

[nec-ed]

Hi everyone,

Reaching out to the community due to a failed inspection on a recent project in Los Angeles:

Did a conversion recently and we did not pass inspection due to the following reason: condenser and electric panel needed to be at least 20".

I have looked through the NEC and see the following clearance requirements:

1. Panel needs 30" width and 36" in front
2. There is a HVAC to yard setback requirement if db is at a certain level (ours is well below the db level)
3. There is a manufacturer's recommended working space on the equipment side (24")

Does anyone know where the code states a required 20" clearance between the condenser and electric panel?

Best regards!

 

[roger]

#1 is 110.26
#2 not an NEC issue
#3 Maybe 110.3(B)

"Does anyone know where the code states a required 20" clearance between the condenser and electric panel?"

Except for possibly 110.26 I don't know what the inspector is saying here.

 

[charlie b]

The geography eludes me. Do the condenser and the panel face each other? That is, if you are standing in front of the panel, is the condenser right behind you? Or are the two side-by-side, with only 20 inches between the side of one that is closest to the side of the other? If the first is a "yes," you have a code violation. If the second is a "yes," I know of no electrical reason to fail that installation.

If the second was the "yes," is it possible that the inspector is failing you because the manufacturer wants 24 inches and you only have 20 inches? If that is the issue, you could be hard-pressed to win the day. You could try this: a panel that extends about 7 inches from the wall and is several feet above ground or floor level will not interfere with maintenance on a compresser that extends several feet beyond the wall and is at ground or floor level.

 

[nec-ed]

Thanks for the quick feedback. The above image shows I currently have 6" between the side of the condenser and side of panel. The inspector mentioned I need 20."

 

[augie47]

Do you have a full 30" width clear in front of the panel ?

 

[roger]

The inspector needs to provide code articles and sections.

 

[jaggedben]

Thanks for the quick feedback. The above image shows I currently have 6" between the side of the condenser and side of panel. The inspector mentioned I need 20."

Maybe there's something I don't know but the 20" requirement sounds wrong. Definitely not NEC per se. Maybe mechanical code?

 

[hillbilly1]

Since 20” is an odd clearance, I’m betting there is a wall or fence to the right less than 4” from the panel, which would put the compressor in the panels working clearance.

 

[qcroanoke]

Since 20” is an odd clearance, I’m betting there is a wall or fence to the right less than 4” from the panel, which would put the compressor in the panels working clearance.

Or the mfgr. Is requiring 20 inches.
We have wall mount units that require clearances for compressor access and air movement

 

[hillbilly1]

Or the mfgr. Is requiring 20 inches.

Ventilation?

 

[qcroanoke]

Ventilation?

Yeah. I edited my post to say that.

 

[hillbilly1]

Yeah. I edited my post to say that.

I’m finding different requirements, one says 12”, another says 15”, so very well could be a manufacturer requirement.

 

[jaggedben]

The panel doesn't appear to be in the way of any ventilation for the compressor.

 

[qcroanoke]

The panel doesn't appear to be in the way of any ventilation for the compressor.

Yeah. But that's a diagram and not a couple of pictures of the install.
And we don't have the installation manual. Or the inspector to ask.

 

[kwired]

The inspector needs to provide code articles and sections.

and what code. Maybe something other then electric code that is in violation here?

 

[kwired]

Or the mfgr. Is requiring 20 inches.
We have wall mount units that require clearances for compressor access and air movement

And from what OP has given us so far I think he has still met those requirements.

I see no reason why compressor access clearance and panel working space can't overlap one another nor can I see air movement being an issue either if panel working space is the only so called obstruction.

 

[charlie b]

The above image shows I currently have 6" between the side of the condenser and side of panel. The inspector mentioned I need 20".

I infer that this is an electrical inspection. The 20 inch "requirement" is not an electrical requirement. Ask the inspector to provide a source; I suspect there is none. As long as you have adequate working clearance (which by the way you have not yet confirmed), the electrical inspection should pass.

 

[mtnelect]

I think the inspector got it wrong. According to LADWP, it should be 10".

 

[electrofelon]

I think the inspector got it wrong. According to LADWP, it should be 10".

Note that is for electrical meters. OP didn't specifically say this was a meter main.

 

[jaggedben]

I think the inspector got it wrong. According to LADWP, it should be 10".

Nothing from the OP indicated a gas meter involved.