Minimum height

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bthielen

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Can someone help me? I will admit that I am not a journeyman or master electrician however I am an electrical designer and am accustomed to using the NEC and other codes such as NFPA, CE, UL, etc. I've been trying to find information in the NEC about wire protection in a building where animals may be loose. This is an agricultural building, on my own premises, and is considered a corrosive atmosphere due to the animal habitat so I am using type UF wire and corrosion resistant watertight boxes as required. What I am trying to determine is if it is required that I enclose the wire in conduit below a certain minimum height. I will be mounting a few receptacles and light switches within 6' of grade.

I was also informed by my inspector that if I pass the wire through a wall I must use conduit to protect the wire from mice and other similar animals. Of course I will satisfy his requirement and it makes sense but I am curious, where is this written in the code? I haven't been able to find it.

Any help is much appreciated. Thanks,

Bob
 
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bthielen

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Re: Minimum height

Thank you very much.

I have reread article 547 again, for the unpteenth time, and I think the closest I can come up with is 547.5(E). Although the code doesn't specifically say this, considering that horses will inhabit this structure either occasionally or quite often, perhaps it would be best to encase the wire in conduit at least to a height they cannot reach such as about 8'. They do like to chew on things.

Also, thanks for the direction to article 340 and 334. This explains it quite clearly.

Bob
 
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websparky

Senior Member
Location
Cleveland, Ohio
Re: Minimum height

NEC 2002 300.5 Underground Installations.
(D) Protection from Damage. Direct-buried conductors and cables shall be protected from damage in accordance with (1) through (5).
(1) Emerging from Grade. Direct-buried conductors and enclosures emerging from grade shall be protected by enclosures or raceways extending from the minimum cover distance required by 300.5(A) below grade to a point at least 2.5 m (8 ft) above finished grade. In no case shall the protection be required to exceed 450 mm (18 in.) below finished grade.
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Hope this helps!

Dave
 
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bthielen

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Re: Minimum height

I intended on encasing the underground feeders to the load center. I wasn't aware of this 8' requirement and this is good to know. What I was primarily trying to find is information regarding my branch circuits from the load center. My inspector didn't come straight out and say it but he did suggest they too must be in conduit below 8' and I have been trying to find the code requirements.

Thanks for your input.

Bob
 
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