Is my Inspector wrong here?

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Jljohnson

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Location
Colorado
Scenario- 600 amp rated CT can, meter can, and SQ. D I-Line Panelboard used to build a 600 amp service. Panelboard has 4 3-pole 100 amp breakers installed and 6 empty spaces (presumably for 2 futre 3-pole 100 amp breakers). Inspector failed job and quoted 6-handle rule stating that "Someone could easily install 6 1-pole breakers in those spaces". I say he should only inspect what is installed at the time of inspection and should not red-tag on "what-ifs" unless he has a code section that begins with "what-if". What say ye O wise forum friends? I belive this to be the same as saying " The GFI receptacles "might" get changed out to standard receptacles after I sign off this permit so I'm going to fail the job."

BTW, the panelboard has no main breaker installed, Inspector insisted that we install one before he would pass inspection. We did it, mostly because time was important and we didn't have any extra time to argue about this issue. Just burns me a little that we had to spend the cash to buy a 600 amp main.
 
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Voltaire said that being right when those in authority are wrong can be dangerous.

I think I would have called the chief for a ruling. Too much money to wast unless I have to. Even then I would gripe about it.
 
Jim, we offered to put in 2 more 3-pole breakers and he balked at that saying that they "could" be replaced with 1-poles later. Ridiclous IMHO.
 
Jim W in Tampa said:
Call his chief.He is flat out wrong.And before i would have gave him a main i would have installed 2 more 3 poles then remove them.
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I'm with Jim, what ifs are not in the code book.
 
Jim,

You can still take it to the next level ( his boss ) and get the situation with

the Inspector rectified, remind him of the cost of a 600a main disconnect

and the extra labor to install it, all because of a bad "call". Trouble with

being an Inspector is you have to be right on every "call" you make. If you

don't get his respect by doing this, you'll at least get mine!!
 
Jim, I agree with the above posters, the inspector is wrong. The code clearly regulates the number of handles, not the number of spaces available for handles.

There are instances where a 3 phase breaker could occupy four spaces, such as shunt trip breakers.

In addition, as I learned recently at the job I'm at over by 34 & I-25, there is an occasion where you could have more than six handles at a service:

230.71 ...There shall be not more than six sets of disconnects per service grouped in any one location. For the purpose of this section, disconnecting means used solely for power monitoring equipment, transient voltage surge suppressors, or the control circuit of the ground-fault protection system or power-operable service disconnecting means, installed as part of the listed equipment, shall not be considered a service disconnecting means.
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We had six handles already going to six panelboards, and the engineer goofed and showed the TVSS bolted to the bus with no disconnecting means or overcurrent protection. So, now, we're having to cope.

Give me the inspector's number, I'll fight him/her for ya. :D
 
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Send me the inspection departments information and I'll e-mail them that the whole internet electrical community is aware of how inept, uniformed, and totally wrong they are. (After all they can't hurt me here in NC
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Roger
 
He's wrong. He can't inspect for what may happen down the road. Hell, someone could come along in a panel I wired and replace all the 1P-20A breakers (assume #12wire) with 1P-30A breakers so that they don't nuisance trip. Should he not pass me because of that? Same theory he's using with you. Your installation is code compliant.
 
As an inspector I rely on this forum prior to citing uncertain areas. Ie. window frames as raceway.......Don't call it if ya can't back it up...per NEC or manuf. specs, etc.
 
Remember most inspectors worked in the field before....it seems to me that this guy must have been compelled before to commit many violations after his inspections, and now he has seen the "light" and does not want others to do as he did ;)
 
Once in a while you get an inspector to set himself up for a fall.Had one a few weeks ago and made him look like a fool in front of 2 GC supers and me.He even thought he knowed the number.He suggested i read it and i told him i did and will go get my code book and read it to him.He started to shrink and signed me off.Now he can do as he likes,either get even or think twice who he is dealing with. I did not call him anything and let him back down easily.Next time i think he will check his code book first.
 
Sounds like one of our pompus inspectors.I`m with JIM W go above his/her head and the truth will prevail.i`ve fought many battles and won this way.To those that say,well what about the next inspection !!!!! Do your job right and this is not an issue !!!!
 
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