Need to raise a service drop...

[TOOL_5150]

This is an NEC violation . . . period. I know they are done in California but California may have the code written in such a way as to permit this installation. We had some things in our Goldbook that was actually telling the electrician to violate the code, I have removed all of those sections. :smile:

Can you direct me to the code section, I thought we were allowed 4 or 6 feet inside before a main?

Also - I am just replacing a mast with a taller one. the meter combo was allready there, as this is NOT the way I would install or upgrade an O/H service.

~Matt

 

[charlie]

. . . I thought we were allowed 4 or 6 feet inside before a main? . .

230.70(A)(1) Readily Accessible Location. The service disconnecting means shall be installed at a readily accessible location either outside of a building or structure or inside nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors.

In a multitude of places, the AHJ will permit various distances from a few inches to several feet before the service disconnecting means. I have heard from "It has to be on the outside wall." to "You can put it within 20 feet of the outside wall." Here, the general rule has been 10' to permit the installation in a basement; then, it just became 10'.

In order to meet the code, ya gotta meat 230.70(A)(1) thu way it iz writen. :smile:

 

[e57]

Tool_5150 Not sure which "Bay Area" you're from, but if in the same 'Bay Area' as me, (?) there are exceptions to many rules - and although my '05 book is on-site right now..... The Greenbook has not changed on this.
From the '02

Exception: Where it is impracticable to locate the service head above the point of attachment, the service head location shall be permitted not farther than 600 mm (24 in.) from the point of attachment.

And see page 8.... PG&E also allows exceptions under certain conditions.
The rest is found here

As for 230.70(A)(1) - it is truely a fashion show - depending on the AHJ, and local practice. I have been inside well over 40' in non-encased RMC - of course that won't fly everywhere! It all depends on the reader, the eye of the beholder and interpetation.

Some of the '02 comentary on it:

No maximum distance is specified from the point of entrance of service conductors to a readily accessible location for the installation of a service disconnecting means. The authority enforcing this Code has the responsibility for, and is charged with, making the decision as to how far inside the building the service-entrance conductors are allowed to travel to the main disconnecting means. The length of service-entrance conductors should be kept to a minimum inside buildings, because power utilities provide limited overcurrent protection and, in the event of a fault, the service conductors could ignite nearby combustible materials.
Some local jurisdictions have ordinances that allow service-entrance conductors to run within the building up to a specified length to terminate at the disconnecting means. The authority having jurisdiction may permit service conductors to bypass fuel storage tanks or gas meters and the like, permitting the service disconnecting means to be located in a readily accessible location. However, if the authority judges the distance as being excessive, the disconnecting means may be required to be located on the outside of the building or near the building at a readily accessible location that is not necessarily nearest the point of entrance of the conductors.

 

[TOOL_5150]

Tool_5150 Not sure which "Bay Area" you're from, but if in the same 'Bay Area' as me, (?) there are exceptions to many rules - and although my '05 book is on-site right now..... The Greenbook has not changed on this.
From the '02

And see page 8.... PG&E also allows exceptions under certain conditions.
The rest is found here

As for 230.70(A)(1) - it is truely a fashion show - depending on the AHJ, and local practice. I have been inside well over 40' in non-encased RMC - of course that won't fly everywhere! It all depends on the reader, the eye of the beholder and interpetation.

Some of the '02 comentary on it:

Yep, I live about 50 miles away in Antioch. Im not quite understanding what yall are concerned about though... I replaced the mast, so I can attach my drop higher - thus allowing the proper clearances for "other buildings on the same property" It goes down the mast, which is in the wall to the meter combo, which has a 200A main breaker in it [semi-flush facing outside]. Its in the wall for about 4' [in the rigid 2"

The inital pic was just a random pic I had, and it was an idea I had to use that bracket rather than replacing the mast.. but I talked myself out of it because as many have said- it looks like crap.

Ill attach a few pics of the installation tomarrow so yall can see what I am talking about. THere is nothing avalible to attach the drop to, if not connected to the mast itself - therefor the mast needed to be higher. :smile:

~Matt