Gas Meter

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resistance

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Location
WA
Do you believe NEC 110.26(A)(2) can be enforced based on the rough picture below. An AC disconnect is 16 inches away from a gas meter located left of the disconnect. On the right side of the disconnect you have open space of over 15 feet (front and right).
Just curious!
 
If you had to work on the disconnect, where would you be standing? If you have to stand between the disconnect and the meter, you have a violation. If you can stand on the right side of the disconnect (as shown in your drawing), you are OK.

There has to be 30 inches of width in the working space, but it need not be evenly divided between the left side of the equipment and the right side of the equipment. I can put a panel in the corner of a room, set it against the back wall and right up next to the right hand wall, so long as there is a total of 30 inches of clear space from the right hand wall to any interferences to the left of the panel.
 
(2) Width of Working Space. The width of the working
space in front of the electric equipment shall be the width
of the equipment or 750 mm (30 in.), whichever is greater.
In all cases, the work space shall permit at least a 90 degree
opening of equipment doors or hinged panels.

It does not say you have to have 30 inches centered on the equipment. Or 30 inches on both sides.

So, IMNSHO, th short answer to your question is "No".
 
petersonra said:
It does not say you have to have 30 inches centered on the equipment. Or 30 inches on both sides.

So, IMNSHO, th short answer to your question is "No".

I agree! I know most do not like the NEC Handbook. Yet, the 2002 has a great illustration: Exhibit 110.10
 
petersonra said:
It does not say you have to have 30 inches centered on the equipment. Or 30 inches on both sides.

So, IMNSHO, th short answer to your question is "No".

The disco could be right against the gas meter as long as you have 30" of clearance to the right. The disco can be anywhere in that 30" of clear space. And before we get off track that includes the clearance in front and the headroom. I usually tell people that if you can fit a refridgerator box in the space then you should be good.
 
cowboyjwc said:
The disco could be right against the gas meter as long as you have 30" of clearance to the right. The disco can be anywhere in that 30" of clear space. And before we get off track that includes the clearance in front and the headroom. I usually tell people that if you can fit a refridgerator box in the space then you should be good.

The gas company in our area requires 3' of clearance from the electrical panels and discos.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
The gas company in our area requires 3' of clearance from the electrical panels and discos.

And I started to mention that there may be a requirement. Ours is 24" from the supply side and 18" from the load side of the gas meter, but it's only for meter assemblies.
 
cowboyjwc said:
The disco could be right against the gas meter as long as you have 30" of clearance to the right. The disco can be anywhere in that 30" of clear space. And before we get off track that includes the clearance in front and the headroom. I usually tell people that if you can fit a refridgerator box in the space then you should be good.
I heard the refridge quote from an inspector today (T. Power). Yet, he was off base when I asked him the same question. His thing was that you had to have 30 inches from each edge of the serving disconnect. I re-asked the question to make sure I heard him correctly, and indeed I did. He also said it included junction boxes---which was way off base!!!!! I tried to get him to change his understanding, but he wouldn't. I was actually shocked!!! :rolleyes:
where would you locate the refrig in his understanding..........LOL! :)
 
cowboyjwc said:
I usually tell people that if you can fit a refridgerator box in the space then you should be good.
I have never heard that before. I love it! :grin:
 
resistance said:
I heard the refridge quote from an inspector today (T. Power). Yet, he was off base when I asked him the same question. His thing was that you had to have 30 inches from each edge of the serving disconnect. I re-asked the question to make sure I heard him correctly, and indeed I did. He also said it included junction boxes---which was way off base!!!!! I tried to get him to change his understanding, but he wouldn't. I was actually shocked!!! :rolleyes:
where would you locate the refrig in his understanding..........LOL! :)

And then people wonder why inspectors get a bad rap.:grin:
 
wbalsam1 said:
You're kidding of course...an inspector named Power. :cool:

It's a short name for the utility company he works for.

It turns out the gas company requires 3 feet of clearance from all electrical equpiment.

Yet, this doesn't excuse having three feet from each edge of a serving disconnect.
 
resistance said:
It's a short name for the utility company he works for.

It turns out the gas company requires 3 feet of clearance from all electrical equpiment.

Yet, this doesn't excuse having three feet from each edge of a serving disconnect.

No it doesn't excuse it, but it would gurantee that you comply.:grin:
 
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