Large Equipment 110.26(C)(2)

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ron

ron

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When determining whether this section applies, I have a 1000A utility service with a free standing combo 800A service disconnect / CT meter cabinet (24" wide) and a free standing combo 400A service disconnect / CT meter cabinet (24" wide). Each are separate enclosures.

Varied opinions from the field, but my interpretation of 110.26(C)(2) for large equipment is that the equipment needs to be 1200A or more and over 6' wide to require two exits if we can't use the exceptions.

The 800A main and 400A main are not additive making 1200A equipment (one opinion of an EC on site is that service disc sizes are additive) and since each piece of equipment is free standing, there is no equipment that is over 6' wide (opinion from the site is that it is different for service equipment and is additive).

The on site guys say this is the opinion of the inspector. This is in a big city, so one inspector doesn't get to be creative without the EOR pushing back if appropriate. I can easily push back, but looking for other experiences.
 
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ron said:
When determining whether this section applies, I have a 1000A utility service with a free standing combo 800A service disconnect / CT meter cabinet (24" wide) and a free standing combo 400A service disconnect / CT meter cabinet (24" wide). Each are separate enclosures.

Varied opinions from the field, but my interpretation of 110.26(C)(2) for large equipment is that the equipment needs to be 1200A or more and over 6' wide to require two exits if we can't use the exceptions.

The 800A main and 400A main are not additive making 1200A equipment (one opinion of an EC on site is that service disc sizes are additive) and since each piece of equipment is free standing, there is no equipment that is over 6' wide (opinion from the site is that it is different for service equipment and is additive).

The on site guys say this is the opinion of the inspector. This is in a big city, so one inspector doesn't get to be creative without the EOR pushing back if appropriate. I can easily push back, but looking for other experiences.
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I would agree that the 800A and 400A units are not additive in their ampere ratings, provided that their circuits diverge from each other in another location.

As for the 6 ft dimension, I would consider a line-up of equipment that adds up to 6 ft or more to be the same situation regarding egress path rules, as if it were one complete manufactured unit that is 6 ft or more.
 
Carultch said:
As for the 6 ft dimension, I would consider a line-up of equipment that adds up to 6 ft or more to be the same situation regarding egress path rules, as if it were one complete manufactured unit that is 6 ft or more.
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What would you think if there were a few inches between each free standing enclosure?

Of course 110.26(C)(2) says AND, so the 6' dimension threshold is only important if they come up with the "bogus" additive rule for handle ratings, but who knows.
 
ron said:
What would you think if there were a few inches between each free standing enclosure?

Of course 110.26(C)(2) says AND, so the 6' dimension threshold is only important if they come up with the "bogus" additive rule for handle ratings, but who knows.
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I would think that if the gap isn't large enough to fit a human body between the pieces of equipment, so that you can step safely to the side of any hazard, the widths would be additive.
 
I agree that you don't add the ratings of separate equipment. The code words are "equipment rated 1200 amps or more," not "equipment with a combined rating of 1200 amps or more."

The other part of the question here is a bit trickier. Suppose you had two switchboards in separate enclosures, each rated 1200 amps, and each 4 feet wide. If you install them next to each other, have you triggered this rule? :? If so, how far apart must they be to avoid triggering this rule? :?
 
IMO two pieces of equipment not connected together are still two pieces of equipment even if they're right next to each other.
 
That is my opinion as well, Rob. But this could be a tricky call, and the AHJ might see it differently.
 
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