when did the 10' rule for meter to panel originate ?

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

Stevenfyeager

Senior Member
Location
United States, Indiana
Occupation
electrical contractor
10' of wire maximum between the meter and service panel (unless there is an outside disconnect) When did this start ? My customer's 1960's house violates this by far. Someone replaced it and it looks like it passed. (the date and name is gone on the sticker) Do inspectors sometimes pass a new service if it matched the existing one that has 30' of wire ?
 
That is not an NEC rule is local or state rule. In WA we are limited to 15 ft of raceway, only 8 types of raceway ( no EMT or SE cable).
 
Some places have 5', some 10', some just back-to-back from meter to panel. It's all up to the AHJ, or more correctly, the inspector!
 
"I just always heard" gets you in trouble :)
The actual wording is in 230.70(A)(1), "nearest the point of entrance for the service conductors"
As noted above that allowable distance varies by jurisdiction and, sometimes, by job details.
 
augie47 said:
"I just always heard" gets you in trouble :)
The actual wording is in 230.70(A)(1), "nearest the point of entrance for the service conductors"
As noted above that allowable distance varies by jurisdiction and, sometimes, by job details.
Click to expand...
Yes job details and approved design. Just saw this one today. 10 sets of service conductors enter the large pull box at the top from the network vault run down through about 20' of EMT including under the raised floor and then up into the bottom of the meter section of the switchgear. Must be at least 30' of conductors run inside of the building. :unsure:

Service Entrance.jpg
 
tom baker said:
I see the meter is not installed. Will this job be approved by AHJ?
Click to expand...
The power has been turned on by the POCO but I cannot say for sure that it was inspected. I'm guessing that it was. The design was approved by the building department.
 
I've seen, installed and, in a different life, inspected similar.
Metal conduit, exposed and in an area 99% free from any physical damage. We decided "close as practical"
 
infinity said:
The power has been turned on by the POCO but I cannot say for sure that it was inspected. I'm guessing that it was. The design was approved by the building department.
Click to expand...
No EMT for service conductors in WA. has Been in state code since at least 1965
 
electrofelon said:
Tom that is only INSIDE the building or structure.
Click to expand...
Here is the wording from WAC 296.46(B) 230

(7) The installation of service conductors not exceeding 1000 volts, nominal, within a building or structure is limited to the following methods: Galvanized or aluminum rigid metal conduit; galvanized intermediate metal conduit; wireways; busways; auxiliary gutters; minimum schedule 40 rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit; cablebus; or mineral-insulated, metal-sheathed cable (type MI).
(8) Electrical metallic tubing must not be installed as the wiring method for service entrance conductors inside a building. Existing electrical metallic tubing, installed prior to October 1984, which is properly grounded and used for service entrance conductors may be permitted to remain if the conduit is installed in a nonaccessible location and is the proper size for the installed conductors
 
electrofelon said:
Here is the wording from WAC 296.46(B) 230

(7) The installation of service conductors not exceeding 1000 volts, nominal, within a building or structure is limited to the following methods: Galvanized or aluminum rigid metal conduit; galvanized intermediate metal conduit; wireways; busways; auxiliary gutters; minimum schedule 40 rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit; cablebus; or mineral-insulated, metal-sheathed cable (type MI).
(8) Electrical metallic tubing must not be installed as the wiring method for service entrance conductors inside a building. Existing electrical metallic tubing, installed prior to October 1984, which is properly grounded and used for service entrance conductors may be permitted to remain if the conduit is installed in a nonaccessible location and is the proper size for the installed conductors
Click to expand...
Thanks for posting. It’s more common to see PVC even outside, but EMT would be better outside on commercial services
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top