Service Receptacle and Service Equipment

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Belooooooooooot

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MEPFS Engineer
Hi, good day everyone. I just had an argument with an electrical contractor about the distance of a service receptacle to a service equipment. I tried to explain to him that the service receptacle distance will be based on “Wall Space” since that is what the code says on dwelling units but it didn’t mention to use it on other areas like “Electrical Room”. As from what I understand, as per NEC 210.63 “Service Equipment requires a service receptacle to be located within the same room or area as the service equipment and no further than 25 feet.” is that the distance of service receptacle to the equipment shall no further than 25ft or 7.5m and it’s measurement shall based on “wall space”. I have attached a link for the pciture ----->
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Can you verify if I am correct or not? I just really want to close this issue. Thank you and God Bless us all.
 
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You don't use the wall line to determine the distance. A straight line from the receptacle outlet to the equipment is perfectly acceptable.
The drawing looks to be in compliance to me.

Ron
 
I agree with Ron you measure in a straight line just like you would use an extension cord.
 
I would think the purpose for the receptacles would be for the use of portable equipment used when performing work in that area and the 25' would be an "as the crow flies" measurement.

(If the scope of the job is for any duration and you and the contractor are arguing over this issue it should be a fun show :) )
 
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rc/retired said:
You don't use the wall line to determine the distance. A straight line from the receptacle outlet to the equipment is perfectly acceptable.
The drawing looks to be in compliance to me.

Ron
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Hi sir Ron, I would really want to know the part in the code where we can measure it directly to the equipment for service areas like EE Room? If what you say is really true because I had an experience with this in designing residential units on Cayman Islands, just to give you an idea on the original design, the panel board was located in the corridor and there were no receptacle located 25’ within its wall space but directly across it was a 2-gang receptacle. Now when the plan was submitted to the local building inspector, it was disapproved for a reason that there was no service receptacle near the panel. Now if we consider your comment as true, there should be no problem considering that there was a service receptacle across to the other side wall of the panel board where the corridor width is only about 6'6". Because I think that when spacing a receptacle to a service equipment or a receptacle, the code says to use "wall space" as what is the NEC 210.52(A)(2) says.
 
infinity said:
I agree with Ron you measure in a straight line just like you would use an extension cord.
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I really appreciate the comment sir, I would also gladly appreciate sir if you can show me the part where we can measure it directly to the service equipment? Because I am also a designer and I am skeptical in this part because that is what exactly I did in my previous designs before but it was disapprove by a local building inspector.
 
augie47 said:
I would think the purpose for the receptacles would be for the use of portable equipment used when performing work in that area and the 25' would be an "as the crow flies" measurement.

(If the scope of the job is for any duration and you and the contractor are arguing over this issue it should be a fun show :) )
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Yes I think that is the purpose of the receptacle as it was called a "service receptacle". The question remains if we can space a receptacle directly to the service equipments is found in the code, I would gladly resign from this issue. Because based on my designs before, it got disapproved.
 
The wording of the two sections is quite different in that 210.52 discusses "along the floor line" whereas 210.64 states simply "witin 25 ft.
 
Belooooooooooot said:
I really appreciate the comment sir, I would also gladly appreciate sir if you can show me the part where we can measure it directly to the service equipment? Because I am also a designer and I am skeptical in this part because that is what exactly I did in my previous designs before but it was disapprove by a local building inspector.
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The wording is right there: within 7.5 m (25 ft) of the equipment as specified in 210.63(A) and (B). Not sure why someone would measure that in anything other than a straight line.
 
Belooooooooooot said:
Hi sir Ron, I would really want to know the part in the code where we can measure it directly to the equipment for service areas like EE Room? Because I think that when spacing a receptacle to a service equipment or a receptacle, the code says to use "wall space" as what is the NEC 210.52(A)(2) says.
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210.52 is for dwelling unit receptacle outlets. Most notably habitable rooms. Reference 210.52(A).
Your question pertains to an electrical equipment room. I assume in a commercial application. There's a big difference between residential and commercial in the code.

Ron
 
210.64 Electrical Service Areas. At least one 125-volt, singlephase,
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.

In the same room, within 25 ft of the service equipment. That's all that matters. Nothing else makes any sense.

-Hal
 
Belooooooooooot said:
I really appreciate the comment sir, I would also gladly appreciate sir if you can show me the part where we can measure it directly to the service equipment? Because I am also a designer and I am skeptical in this part because that is what exactly I did in my previous designs before but it was disapprove by a local building inspector.
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You don't have to find the code that allows it, you have to make sure there isn't a code that doesn't allow it.

The whole point of the "within 25 feet" codes for service receptacles is to make sure somebody working on something has a plug within the distance of the shortest extension cord we may have in our trucks would reach.
 
jaylectricity said:
You don't have to find the code that allows it, you have to make sure there isn't a code that doesn't allow it.

The whole point of the "within 25 feet" codes for service receptacles is to make sure somebody working on something has a plug within the distance of the shortest extension cord we may have in our trucks would reach.
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And yes, I understand there are shorter cords than 25', but any professional should have a cord at least 25'.
 
And furthermore, I said plug when I should have said receptacle. LOL...I'll take the loss on that one.

It's just knowing how to talk with other professionals and customers and determining the lingo to use.
 
jaylectricity said:
And yes, I understand there are shorter cords than 25', but any professional should have a cord at least 25'.
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Some of us have 50 foot cords though, so why not change the rule to 50 feet?:)

Kind of a dumb rule if you ask me. If the service is off line when you are working on it what good does this receptacle do? Most the times I need a receptacle because I am working on the service equipment is at a time when the service is down for some sort of repair or even for replacement.
 
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