I am a recently licensed LLE in Tennessee and have a question for experienced folks. I just finished an upgrade on a house for a local realtor who wanted the home's 100 amp service upgraded to a 200 amp as well as some additonal plugs and GFCI's. I checked with the power company in person and on their web site for their rules and regs to be sure I was OK with them. Had to, of course, put in a new meter base and service panel - the old SE had NM cable running from the meter base through the brick wall and into the old fuse box. I installed Rigid conduit through the wall and into the new service panel. The panel is located on a garage wall with the center of the panel about 30 inches from the exterior brick. When the inspector came to check it he said that I did not meet state code because I had more than 24 inches of conduit inside (the total length from the outside to the service panel including and LB is about 35 inches) and must have a cutoff panel by the meter base. I checked the state web site for this regulation but am unable to find it in the Tennessee Code or under the Dept. of Commerce site. Is anyone familiar with this and, if so, can you direct me to where to read up on it? I want to be thorough in any work I do and certainly don't want to violate any rules or codes.
Question for Tennessee Electricians
- Thread starter cw1952
- Start date
- Status
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- Semi-retired engineer
Re: Question for Tennessee Electricians
just curious - what is an LLE?
Can't help you on the code issue. I have never understood why the code does not either always require an outside disconnect or not require it at all. the vagueness of this requirement bothers my usually orderly mind.
just curious - what is an LLE?
Can't help you on the code issue. I have never understood why the code does not either always require an outside disconnect or not require it at all. the vagueness of this requirement bothers my usually orderly mind.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
Re: Question for Tennessee Electricians
This is what the NEC says about your situation:
This is what the NEC says about your situation:
As you can see the NEC does not providing any specific length as to how far into the building the service entrance conductors may penetrate. If Tennessee says 24" than you'll need to either move the panel over to limit you to 24" or provide a service disconnect on the outside of the building.
Re: Question for Tennessee Electricians
Thanks for the replies. LLE - Limited License Electrician which allows performing jobs bid for $25,000 or less. I think Tennessee used to call it a Journeyman license. There are others as well - CE (Master) which is a much more extensive test and fairly much covers residential and commerical jobs. You have to go before the contractor's board to acquire the CE license where an LLE is just a written test and application.
I did read the NEC code sections as posted, and as you say, they are not specific as to the amount of distance away the panel can be from the meter base before the cutoff is required. I was told by the local inspector that no more than 24 inches is allowed inside the home unless a cutoff is installed. Of course I will do as he tells me, but I would still like to see the written regulations on this. I've searched the Tennessee Code (Laws) and the Dept. Of Commerce section of the website (they regulate contractors and building) and can not find anyting about this matter.
Thanks for the replies. LLE - Limited License Electrician which allows performing jobs bid for $25,000 or less. I think Tennessee used to call it a Journeyman license. There are others as well - CE (Master) which is a much more extensive test and fairly much covers residential and commerical jobs. You have to go before the contractor's board to acquire the CE license where an LLE is just a written test and application.
I did read the NEC code sections as posted, and as you say, they are not specific as to the amount of distance away the panel can be from the meter base before the cutoff is required. I was told by the local inspector that no more than 24 inches is allowed inside the home unless a cutoff is installed. Of course I will do as he tells me, but I would still like to see the written regulations on this. I've searched the Tennessee Code (Laws) and the Dept. Of Commerce section of the website (they regulate contractors and building) and can not find anyting about this matter.
Re: Question for Tennessee Electricians
I am a TN. inspector and have worked in several jurisdictions. To my knowledge, there is no statewide standard to the enforcement of 230.70, as specific conditions may be taken into consideration. Generally, most the jurisdictions that I am aware of enforce either a 24" or 36" (max conductor length) rule.
I am a TN. inspector and have worked in several jurisdictions. To my knowledge, there is no statewide standard to the enforcement of 230.70, as specific conditions may be taken into consideration. Generally, most the jurisdictions that I am aware of enforce either a 24" or 36" (max conductor length) rule.
macmikeman
Senior Member
- Location
- Planet macmikeman
Re: Question for Tennessee Electricians
I used to question this also, until sombody pointed out that in so many area's of our great land, putting a disco outside means it is no longer redily available while buried under a snow drift. So the code lets you put it inside the house if you like.
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: Question for Tennessee Electricians
Make a proposal. You've got to 5 pm EST today or you have to wait for the 2011 NEC!
Make a proposal. You've got to 5 pm EST today or you have to wait for the 2011 NEC!
Re: Question for Tennessee Electricians
Hello CW1952
I am located in Northeast Tn. in Johnson city
Here in the city the distance changes every board meeting or so. Right now we are allowed to go 7ft. with unprotected service cable or raceway and wire once we go through the dwelling wall into the house.
As far as I know in the county it is just through the wall.If farther your main has to be outside.
The reason behind this is pretty well excepted nation wide and this is why.
If you don't have your main service disconnect outside the only protection you have is the fuse or breaker on the primary side of the utility transformer.
This can make a mess because you are talking thousands of amps. or the AIC of the utility transformer.
[ November 04, 2005, 07:33 PM: Message edited by: ronaldrc ]
Hello CW1952
I am located in Northeast Tn. in Johnson city
Here in the city the distance changes every board meeting or so. Right now we are allowed to go 7ft. with unprotected service cable or raceway and wire once we go through the dwelling wall into the house.
As far as I know in the county it is just through the wall.If farther your main has to be outside.
The reason behind this is pretty well excepted nation wide and this is why.
If you don't have your main service disconnect outside the only protection you have is the fuse or breaker on the primary side of the utility transformer.
This can make a mess because you are talking thousands of amps. or the AIC of the utility transformer.
[ November 04, 2005, 07:33 PM: Message edited by: ronaldrc ]
Re: Question for Tennessee Electricians
The way the section in quesion is written I could run 2000 ft. of unprotected cable in the house as long as the disconnect is "nearest point of entry". :roll:
This section needs to be rewritten.
The way the section in quesion is written I could run 2000 ft. of unprotected cable in the house as long as the disconnect is "nearest point of entry". :roll:
This section needs to be rewritten.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
Re: Question for Tennessee Electricians
You lost me. You could run 2000' on the outside of the house but not on the inside unless the service disconnect was already on the outside. The unprotected service conductors must enter the service disconnect at the nearest point of entry, which is the point that they penetrate the outer wall of the house.
Re: Question for Tennessee Electricians
Welcome to Mikes forum they don't like me here.
There are some very sharp knowlegible folks on here go to the Engineering Thread they intimidate me sometime, but I lick my wounds and come back for more.
Ronald F. Coleman
Welcome to Mikes forum they don't like me here.
There are some very sharp knowlegible folks on here go to the Engineering Thread they intimidate me sometime, but I lick my wounds and come back for more.
Ronald F. Coleman
- Location
- Windsor, CO NEC: 2017
- Occupation
- Hospital Master Electrician
Re: Question for Tennessee Electricians
Who would? :roll:
Re: Question for Tennessee Electricians
certainly thats a stretch (2000'), but the fact remains, in these parts, as long as its visible and on the outside, theres no limit. The reasoning most often expressed seems to relate to nails, saw blades, etc. vs SE cable when mr.remodler starts working on his utility room or basement wall contaiming concealed cable.
certainly thats a stretch (2000'), but the fact remains, in these parts, as long as its visible and on the outside, theres no limit. The reasoning most often expressed seems to relate to nails, saw blades, etc. vs SE cable when mr.remodler starts working on his utility room or basement wall contaiming concealed cable.
- Status