Working space about equipment

[rygar1127]

:-?Mr. Holt in regards to an article you wrote in the Jan. issue of ec&m magazine I have some further questioning. I am currently in dispute with a city electrical inspector about the positioning of a electrical meter in relationship to the gas meter. Both of which are owned by the utility company. I placed the electrical meter exactly where the utility company told me to, yet the city electrical inspector told me that due to article 110-26(working space surrounding equipment) I would not recieve approval for the work. You see Mr. Holt the gas meter is approximently two feet below the electrical meter and slightly to the left. Sir I have been doing this for over 40 years and never have I had an issue until now with this new inspector. Could you please clarify this article and tell me If I am in the right with arguing this. Already I have compiled over 20 different photos of the exact same situation which the city has appoved within the last few years. Many of these locations were appoved by the very inspector that I am in dispute with. Is article 110-26 appicable to outdoor equipment (meter sockets) that is not likely to require adjusting servicing or maintenance. Also on exterior metering equipment there is no ceiling heights so how could this article apply to exterior metering.

Sincerely,
Doc Ryan

 

[charlie]

Welcome to the Forum!​

NFPA 54 requires 3" of radial clearance from spark producing devices. The official EEI position is that meters are not spark producing devices unless they are in the process of being maintained.

You indicate that the meter is not likely to require adjusting servicing or maintenance and I take exception to that statement. We (the electric utility) may be required to open up the meter fitting to test or replace the meter. In fact, all of the meters on the IPL system have been replaced in the last five years because of conversion to automated meter reading.

The bottom line is that you must meet the requirements of 110.26.

By the way, a poll is not required to get a good answer from this group.

 

[cowboyjwc]

Our POCO (Southern California Edison) requires that you install the electric meter a minimum of 24" from the line side of the gas meter and a minimum of 18" from the load side of the gas meter.

 

[JWCELECTRIC]

Doc,

Welcome to the Forum !

Do you ahave a photo that you can post on what you discribe it may show more info for comments.

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

:-?Mr. Holt in regards to an article you wrote in the Jan. issue of ec&m magazine I have some further questioning. I am currently in dispute with a city electrical inspector about the positioning of a electrical meter in relationship to the gas meter. Both of which are owned by the utility company. I placed the electrical meter exactly where the utility company told me to, yet the city electrical inspector told me that due to article 110-26(working space surrounding equipment) I would not recieve approval for the work. You see Mr. Holt the gas meter is approximently two feet below the electrical meter and slightly to the left. Sir I have been doing this for over 40 years and never have I had an issue until now with this new inspector. Could you please clarify this article and tell me If I am in the right with arguing this. Already I have compiled over 20 different photos of the exact same situation which the city has appoved within the last few years. Many of these locations were appoved by the very inspector that I am in dispute with. Is article 110-26 appicable to outdoor equipment (meter sockets) that is not likely to require adjusting servicing or maintenance. Also on exterior metering equipment there is no ceiling heights so how could this article apply to exterior metering.

Sincerely,
Doc Ryan

You need the AHJ not utilities ok. NEC says 3 feet not " and it is radial. If you are not under the electrical meter and 3 feet away then nec is fine.READ 110.26 all of it

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

:-?Mr. Holt in regards to an article you wrote in the Jan. issue of ec&m magazine I have some further questioning. I am currently in dispute with a city electrical inspector about the positioning of a electrical meter in relationship to the gas meter. Both of which are owned by the utility company. I placed the electrical meter exactly where the utility company told me to, yet the city electrical inspector told me that due to article 110-26(working space surrounding equipment) I would not recieve approval for the work. You see Mr. Holt the gas meter is approximently two feet below the electrical meter and slightly to the left. Sir I have been doing this for over 40 years and never have I had an issue until now with this new inspector. Could you please clarify this article and tell me If I am in the right with arguing this. Already I have compiled over 20 different photos of the exact same situation which the city has appoved within the last few years. Many of these locations were appoved by the very inspector that I am in dispute with. Is article 110-26 appicable to outdoor equipment (meter sockets) that is not likely to require adjusting servicing or maintenance. Also on exterior metering equipment there is no ceiling heights so how could this article apply to exterior metering.

Sincerely,
Doc Ryan

Since we cannot see the installation, measurements are usually easier to understand than "the gas meter is approximently two feet below the electrical meter and slightly to the left"

Either measurements or a photo may help.

From the explanation provided, I would say the inspector is correct. Regardless of past experience, even with the same inspector, a requirement is a requirement...maybe he recently learned himself of the requirement. Just like anyone else, inspectors are learning everyday.