Meter/Main Bottom Load Exit

[valleyisle1]

When installing a new overhead combination service for a residential service replacement we were told by the EI that we could not install our romex cables coming from under the house in a single 2" pipe approx. 30" in length with an LB and a nipple at the lower end into the bottom of the panel. We have always done this and have NEVER been called on it in the past.

The inspector cited Article 312.5 C which states that cables "shall be permitted" to enter from the top of the "cabinet, cut-out box or meter socket enclosure" in the above manner if all of conditions (a-g) are met. In order to enter from the bottom, we would have to first terminate all of the cables in a junction box under the house and then run via the conduit connected to the junction box up to the bottom of the loadcenter/meter comb.

My question is this: Is he right that this precludes having any cables at all from entering from the bottom without first terminating at a j-box? If so why? What is the intent here, that you can enter from the top and not the bottom?

Any help on this would be appreciated.

Don
Valley Isle Electric, Maui

 

[infinity]

Re: Meter/Main Bottom Load Exit

Are you entering cabinets, cutout boxes or meter socket enclosures?

 

[wbalsam1]

Re: Meter/Main Bottom Load Exit

Hi:
See definition of "panelboard" designed to be in a "cabinet" (see definition of cabinet) and it sure looks like the inspector gotcha! I've never seen any one cited for this either, but on a strict reading of definitions and 312.5(C)Exception........wow!

 

[iwire]

Re: Meter/Main Bottom Load Exit

There are quite a few requirements to be met before you can just sleeve them all in one raceway.

What I would do, (what we do) is to simple put a large JB or section of wireway above or below the panel then run a raceway in-between.

The cables do not have to be spliced, leave them long and pass them straight through to the panel.

Keep an eye out for derating, at 9 current carrying conductors you will run into problems with 10, 12, & 14 AWG.

 

[infinity]

Re: Meter/Main Bottom Load Exit

Keep an eye out for derating, at 9 current carrying conductors you will run into problems with 10, 12, & 14 AWG.

The derating would only apply if the conduit were longer than 24". If you can keep it shorter than 2' than Bob's method would not require any derating.

 

[lucky1122]

Re: Meter/Main Bottom Load Exit

It would apply since the first post says the conduit is 30 inches

 

[cselectric]

Re: Meter/Main Bottom Load Exit

Yes, it is 30", but if you use a tall enough gutter, you could drop that to 24" pretty easily. A 12x12 JB would do the trick nicely.

 

[macmikeman]

Re: Meter/Main Bottom Load Exit

Don, I feel your pain. Maui inspectors can be very stict about following code to the letter. Thats their job though. If this is a raised house on tofu blocks, possibly you could frame in a wood covering under the socket and run your circuits into individual romex connectors under the load side of the meter combo box. I have done this for load side ser cable exits from meter main combo cans where the cable then runs under the house. Keep the cables at least 1-1/4" from the outside edge of any finished framed covering. Mainland guy's reading this may not understand what the heck I am talking about here but I am sure you have seen this done around your area.