Stables, Horses, Tack Houses, Oh MY!

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icefalkon

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Hiya everyone, Steve from NY State here...I have a general question out to everyone about the wiring of stables/tack houses...

Are these all lump classed as agricultural buildings...or are there any "specific" requirements put upon these area's in the NEC...? By this I mean...within a stall...is the light overhead required to be encased in a metal cage...are weatherproof (of the metal alloy family) boxes sufficient for the recepticles or need they be a specialty item?

I have a client with a stable full of horses that is so incredibly mis-wired and is a danger to the animals within. I've stripped out the "romex" that the "unnamed" previous contractor ran under the muck and mire of the stable and am rewiring the entire building using rigid around the perimeter walls and PVC (to keep the cost down ) on all ceiling work. The client reported to me NUMEROUS accounts of the horses getting shocked, freaking out, and worse. Before continuing on my layout...my goal was to pick the list's "joint brain" by getting any input you guys can offer.

Thanks!

Steve from NY
 
Re: Stables, Horses, Tack Houses, Oh MY!

NEC 2002 547 Definitions.
Equipotential Plane. An area where wire mesh or other conductive elements are embedded in or placed under concrete, bonded to all metal structures and fixed nonelectrical equipment that may become energized, and connected to the electrical grounding system to prevent a difference in voltage from developing within the plane.
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IMO;

This is the most important element when it comes to this section. Please read 547 thoroughly! Lives depend on it!
 
Re: Stables, Horses, Tack Houses, Oh MY!

The NFPA takes this seriously!

NFPA 150 Standard on Fire Safety in Racetrack Stables 2000 Edition
3.6 Electrical Systems and Appliances.
3.6.1
Electrical systems and appliances shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of NFPA 70, National Electrical Code.
3.6.2
Use of any portable electrical appliance shall be restricted to the following conditions:
(a)Multiple-outlet adaptors shall be prohibited.
(b)Not more than one continuous extension cord shall be used to connect one appliance to the fixed receptacle, and such cord shall be listed for hard service and properly sized for the intended application.
(c)Extension cords shall be used only on a temporary (immediate) basis.
3.6.3
Extension cords shall not be supported by any metal objects such as nails, screws, hooks, and pipes.
3.6.4
Plug caps and receptacles used in extension cords shall be heavy-duty type equipped with a reliable grounding pole and shall be attached to the cord in a manner to provide strain relief.
3.6.5
All electrical appliances used in the stable area shall be listed.
3.6.6
Outdoor electrical appliances (e.g., mechanical hotwalkers) served by the barn electrical system shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 70, National Electrical Code.
3.6.7
Portable cooking and heating appliances shall be used only in spaces designated for such use provided they are separated from the stabling and storage areas of the barn by construction as set forth in 2.1.3.2.
3.6.8
Portable electrical heating and cooking appliances shall be of a type that automatically interrupts electrical current to the heating element when the appliance is not in its normal operating position (tip-over disconnect).
3.6.9
Use of exposed element heating appliances such as immersion heaters shall be prohibited.
3.6.10*
In barns to be constructed, the electrical distribution system shall be so installed that at least one receptacle is provided immediately outside each stall. Receptacles and wiring shall be installed in positions that minimize the possibility of damage by horses.
3.6.11
Permanently installed lighting facilities shall be provided throughout the barn.
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Re: Stables, Horses, Tack Houses, Oh MY!

Also, keep in mind that horses like to chew on things so keep the circuit routing out of their reach. :cool:
 
Re: Stables, Horses, Tack Houses, Oh MY!

You are using rigid conduit? Is galvanized steel adequate for corrosion resitance in agricultural atmospheres? I am a homeowner and I have been dealing with this one myself with a building on my property and I am still not entirely confident I understand what is permissible. I came to the conclusion that I am required to use conduit at least up to 8' above grade. What type of conduit became an issue however, because magnetic steel and alumininum are not permitted because of animal confinement. I have come to the conclusion that PVC will be okay. Am I correct?

Bob
 
Re: Stables, Horses, Tack Houses, Oh MY!

Originally posted by bthielen:
You are using rigid conduit? Is galvanized steel adequate for corrosion resitance in agricultural atmospheres? I am a homeowner and I have been dealing with this one myself with a building on my property and I am still not entirely confident I understand what is permissible. I came to the conclusion that I am required to use conduit at least up to 8' above grade. What type of conduit became an issue however, because magnetic steel and alumininum are not permitted because of animal confinement. I have come to the conclusion that PVC will be okay. Am I correct?

Bob
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I was going to use PVC Bob, but a concern arose with some of the horses who have a tendency to kick backwards into the PVC and shattering it. They've tried assaulting the Galv Rigid and haven't even scratched it.
 
Re: Stables, Horses, Tack Houses, Oh MY!

All the conduit is safely out of hoof & mouth reach...lol so to speak.

The barn we're working in WebSparky is classed as existing, and all interior electrical devices other than lighting have been removed.

There are no heaters necessary as the Client takes the horses south with him each winter...sheesh...it's good to be the king huh?

There aren't any cooking or appliances necessary to the housing of the animals other than the light the stablehand needs to see by. What I still haven't figured out is whether the lighting needs to be encased in a metal cage and if the galv rigid is ok...

Anyone have any thoughts...references on this...?
 
Re: Stables, Horses, Tack Houses, Oh MY!

NEC 2002
547.1 (A) Excessive Dust and Dust with Water. Agricultural buildings where excessive dust and dust with water may accumulate, including all areas of poultry, livestock, and fish confinement systems, where litter dust or feed dust, including mineral feed particles, may accumulate.


547.5 Wiring Methods.
(A) Wiring Systems. Types UF, NMC, copper SE cables, jacketed Type MC cable, rigid nonmetallic conduit, liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit, or other cables or raceways suitable for the location, with approved termination fittings, shall be the wiring methods employed. Article 398 and Article 502 wiring methods shall be permitted for areas described in 547.1(A).

502.11 Luminaires (Lighting Fixtures).
Luminaires (lighting fixtures) shall comply with 502.11(A) and (B).
(A) Class II, Division 1. In Class II, Division 1 locations, luminaires (lighting fixtures) for fixed and portable lighting shall comply with 502.11(A)(1) through (A)(4).
(1) Fixtures. Each luminaire (fixture) shall be identified for Class II locations and shall be clearly marked to indicate the maximum wattage of the lamp for which it is designed. In locations where dust from magnesium, aluminum, aluminum bronze powders, or other metals of similarly hazardous characteristics may be present, luminaires (fixtures) for fixed or portable lighting and all auxiliary equipment shall be identified for the specific location.
(2) Physical Damage. Each luminaire (fixture) shall be protected against physical damage by a suitable guard or by location.
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Re: Stables, Horses, Tack Houses, Oh MY!

KK so as long as I'm using metal cages on the light fixtures and they're CLASS II suitable, I'm good to go Sparky?
 
Re: Stables, Horses, Tack Houses, Oh MY!

Definitely, the lighting is going to be mounted a full 10' above the floor, which...incidentally...is simply dirt, plain old everyday dirt...and that's going to be the extent of electrical work done to the stable. It's unreal how for 35+ years this place hasn't burned down!
 
Re: Stables, Horses, Tack Houses, Oh MY!

It's unreal how for 35+ years this place hasn't burned down!
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It is interesting that you mention fire! I always like to remind myself that the NEC is in fact, part of the NFPA Code. It also reminds me of
NEC 2002
90.1 Purpose.
(A) Practical Safeguarding. The purpose of this Code is the practical safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity.
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Re: Stables, Horses, Tack Houses, Oh MY!

NEC 2002
547.1 (A) Excessive Dust and Dust with Water. Agricultural buildings where excessive dust and dust with water may accumulate, including all areas of poultry, livestock, and fish confinement systems, where litter dust or feed dust, including mineral feed particles, may accumulate.
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I was confused by this. 547.1 (b) suggests that areas where animal excrement may cause corrosive vapors require watertight, corrosion resistant enclosures. I know of no horse that has been potty trained and therefore this condition exists in a stable, correct? I also read somewhere in my searching where the NEC seems to suggest that this may only apply to enclosed areas or buildings and may not apply to a three-sided lean-to for example. I just can't remember where I found this and I don't have the code in front of me right now. I may have found this in article 547 as well.

Any clarifications?

Bob
 
Re: Stables, Horses, Tack Houses, Oh MY!

NEC 2002 547.1 Scope.
The provisions of this article shall apply to the following agricultural buildings or that part of a building or adjacent areas of similar or like nature as specified in 547.1(A) and (B).

(B) Corrosive Atmosphere. Agricultural buildings where a corrosive atmosphere exists. Such buildings include areas where the following conditions exist:
(1)Poultry and animal excrement may cause corrosive vapors.
(2)Corrosive particles may combine with water.
(3)The area is damp and wet by reason of periodic washing for cleaning and sanitizing with water and cleansing agents.
(4)Similar conditions exist.
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Number 4.
 
Re: Stables, Horses, Tack Houses, Oh MY!

Hey guys, I spoke with one of the County inspectors today. His words concerning:

" NEC 2002
547.1 (A) Excessive Dust and Dust with Water. Agricultural buildings where excessive dust and dust with water may accumulate, including all areas of poultry, livestock, and fish confinement systems, where litter dust or feed dust, including mineral feed particles, may accumulate. "

were: Should this be an outbuilding which is enclosed or attachment to a primary "enclosed" agricultural building, THEN said accumulation and corrosion would develop. However, an open-wood slat board stable contained within a fenced area which lacks barn door egress does not fit within that definition.

So....

547.2: For agricultural buildings not having conditions as specified in Section 547.1, the electrical installations shall be made in accordance with the applicable articles in this Code.

I was like...um...OK...

He did like that I removed the hazard of the old romex and recepticles in the building AND liked the use of the galv rigid around the perimeter, as well as the light fixtures enclosed in metal cages with rough use flourescent bulbs. I wasn't sure if his interpretation was "on the money"...(although of course I didn't and wouldn't EVER say that an inspector...lol) so I phoned ANOTHER inspector, described the entire building to him, and he said basically the exact same thing...

So goes to show you...each situation is different, and the number of variables that affect each particular job change the way each article is interpreted.

Go figure, lol

Steve
 
Re: Stables, Horses, Tack Houses, Oh MY!

As the nec says, the ahj is the final and last word on the subject. would't pvc covered ridge have been a better choice for the corrosive area? I know the cost is high, would give better long term use.

kurt
 
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