Outlet requirement at Outside main breaker located on a pole

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girlpower

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I can't find the code that states I must install a receptacle on the pole when installing an outside main breaker box. Inspector just failed me for this. Can anyone please tell me the code that covers this please
 
girlpower said:
I can't find the code that states I must install a receptacle on the pole when installing an outside main breaker box. Inspector just failed me for this. Can anyone please tell me the code that covers this please
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You won't find anything in the NEC requiring this unless it fits other requirements such as the receptacle required within 25' of HVAC equipment. There could be local amendments (I doubt it) that might require this. I would do as Larry suggested and ask the inspector for a code reference to back up his claim.
 
Could it be that this is new construction, the pole, meter and disconnect are there first and he considers it a temporary service?

I can't think of one reason to have a receptacle off a pole mounted disconnect otherwise and probably lots of reasons not to have one.

-Hal
 
First, you should ask the inspector to cite the code he is referencing.
It maybe a POCO requirement....the POCO may require a circuit when they energize the service. Check your POCO engineering/construction specification book.


girlpower said:
I can't find the code that states I must install a receptacle on the pole when installing an outside main breaker box. Inspector just failed me for this. Can anyone please tell me the code that covers this please
Click to expand...
 
girlpower said:
I can't find the code that states I must install a receptacle on the pole when installing an outside main breaker box. Inspector just failed me for this. Can anyone please tell me the code that covers this please
Click to expand...

You never said what this outside main is to be used for.
As hbiss says if it's temp power that would require a receptacle or if it's for equipment that would require service at that location a receptacle may be required.

Most of the time when I have to mount a main on a pole it's for a mobile home and that doesn't require a receptacle but the rules for mobile homes tend to vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

I would try to get more information before getting upset.
 
Panel type

Panel type

Not a temporary service. This pole is for a pole barn we just haven't ran the wire to the barn yet. It's on the water so we had problems with getting the permits to begin with so it's considered just service. The pope is 100' from the house. Just called inspector and waiting for his call back with the code he is referencing
 
girlpower said:
Not a temporary service. This pole is for a pole barn we just haven't ran the wire to the barn yet. It's on the water so we had problems with getting the permits to begin with so it's considered just service. The pope is 100' from the house. Just called inspector and waiting for his call back with the code he is referencing
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I would think that the only way you could get power to something like that is with a temp power release.

If you don't have anything on the load side why would you be trying to get power turned on before getting the feeder to the building run?
 
girlpower said:
I can't find the code that states I must install a receptacle on the pole when installing an outside main breaker box. Inspector just failed me for this. Can anyone please tell me the code that covers this please
Click to expand...

The inspector is probably thinking of 210.64; the 2017 NEC clarifies though that it is only for indoor installations.
 
girlpower said:
Not a temporary service. This pole is for a pole barn we just haven't ran the wire to the barn yet. It's on the water so we had problems with getting the permits to begin with so it's considered just service. The pope is 100' from the house. Just called inspector and waiting for his call back with the code he is referencing
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Even if the Pope WAS within 100 feet of the house, I doubt that He is still there ! Usually at the Vatican I believe.
 
210.64, 2014 code:
210.64 Electrical Service Areas
At least one 125-volt, single-phase, 15- or 20-ampere-rated receptacle outlet shall be installed within 15 m (50 ft) of the electrical service equipment.
Exception: The receptacle outlet shall not be required to be installed in one-and two-family dwellings.
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210.64, 2017 code:
210.64 Electrical Service Areas.
At least one 125-volt, single-phase, 15- or 20-ampere-rated receptacle outlet shall be installed in an accessible location within 7.5 m (25 ft) of the indoor
electrical service equipment. The required receptacle outlet shall be located within the same room or area as the service equipment.
Exception No. 1: The receptacle outlet shall not be required to be installed in one- and two-family dwellings.
Exception No. 2: Where the service voltage is greater than 120 volts to ground, a receptacle outlet shall not be required for services dedicated to equipment covered in Articles 675 and 682
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inspector reply

inspector reply

inspector stated that although this is just a panel install for the pole barn and the wire just needs to be ran to the barn (customer is doing as they can afford) he needed a plug to test it for the final inspection.
 
girlpower said:
inspector stated that although this is just a panel install for the pole barn and the wire just needs to be ran to the barn (customer is doing as they can afford) he needed a plug to test it for the final inspection.
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Oh boy, that's a lame backpedal. His inability or unwillingness to simply stick a meter in the panel doesn't change the code. If there isn't a local code requirement, he's ordering you to deface the panel (removing the knockout will require a filler that is neither professional nor very weathertight) by installing unnecessary and unwanted equipment.

That said, we must choose our battles, and you have to work with this AHJ, possibly for years or decades. So...
 
It is lame but I would add an outlet to the one side of the panel... because if nothing else it gives me a power spot for tools there... maybe a set up for an rv that has the power split between 30 and 20 amp lugs... gives one a load of opportunities near the barn that way.

But, not the farmer so..just know that we did it that way on the farm I worked at One summer near Smiths Mountain Lake...
 
Adamjamma said:
It is lame but I would add an outlet to the one side of the panel... because if nothing else it gives me a power spot for tools there... maybe a set up for an rv that has the power split between 30 and 20 amp lugs... gives one a load of opportunities near the barn that way.

But, not the farmer so..just know that we did it that way on the farm I worked at One summer near Smiths Mountain Lake...
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This is mostly a matter of principle. It's easy to install, but....The customer doesn't want a receptacle. The code doesn't require a receptacle. The inspector can easily verify the service without a receptacle. It's $30 and an hour of her time for nothing but the inspector's ignorance. So...choosing battles, and all that....
 
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