ECN Electrical Forum - Discussion Forums for Electricians, Inspectors and Related Professionals
ECN Shout Chat
ShoutChat
Recent Posts
Increasing demand factors in residential
by gfretwell - 03/28/24 12:43 AM
Portable generator question
by Steve Miller - 03/19/24 08:50 PM
Do we need grounding?
by NORCAL - 03/19/24 05:11 PM
240V only in a home and NEC?
by dsk - 03/19/24 06:33 AM
Cordless Tools: The Obvious Question
by renosteinke - 03/14/24 08:05 PM
New in the Gallery:
This is a new one
This is a new one
by timmp, September 24
Few pics I found
Few pics I found
by timmp, August 15
Who's Online Now
1 members (gfretwell), 32 guests, and 14 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 2 of 2 1 2
#115020 08/05/03 07:25 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,056
R
Member
Is that an expansion joint on the PVC going into the bottom of the cabinet?
If so, it is a nice touch.
I have seen a few KOs busted, and meter sockets being pulled off the wall from ground heaving.

#115021 08/05/03 08:32 AM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,081
T
Member
Hmmm...I'd be a little hesitant to open one of those enclosures.

[Linked Image from 65.108.216.53]

[This message has been edited by ThinkGood (edited 08-05-2003).]

#115022 08/05/03 09:11 AM
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 745
M
Member
I was working EMS one day when we received a call for a severe bee-sting/anaphylaxis victim. An EC was called to a residence to look at doing a service upgrade. On the outside of the house was located one of these "dog-houses" containing not only a meter and two discos, but a LARGE colony of bees and an even larger honeycomb - so large in fact that it almost completely covered the meter can and the discos! [Linked Image] This was one of these setups where the equipment was not actually fastened to the exterior siding of the house, but instead was mounted inside the wall, between the studs, and the doghouse built out over the whole affair with only a poorly fitted round hole for the protruding meter face - excellent bee entry. I don't know if they ever got all the bees and honeycombs out of that house...I certainly never returned to find out, and the EC (a friend of mine) told me later that he never went back either.

Those little beasties proved to be a most unpleasent surprise... I guess no one noticed the little guys coming and going [Linked Image].

Mike (mamills)

#115023 08/05/03 08:27 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 518
J
Member
The Fine Homebuilding asserts that these site-built cabinets do not violate the NEC.
Out west, we commonly use the "All-in-one" , where the meter, the main disconnect, and the branch circuit breakers are mounted in the same (internally partitioned) box.
While some say that these cabinets are OK, as long as the doors open at least 90 degrees, other opine that ANY such enclosure would violate working space requirements.
Any thoughts?

#115024 08/05/03 09:18 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,392
S
Member
John,
technically i believe this violates 110.26(F)(2) given the term 'architectual appurtance' , as well as 'other equipment' (as previously mentioned), the former only correctable given a 30" door (which this is not)

however, (and i can't seem to pull it out of my 02' tonight) the 110.26 long standing arguement of an OCPD being prerequisite vs. outlets et all manner that does not rate such dedicated space would apply here due only to the presence of one.

feel free to unfuzz me...........

otoh,
poco's here being sticklers for gable end meters, due to metal roofs & snow and ice damage ( as well as meter reader damage :eek [Linked Image], will at times given unusal construction and circumstances, allow a meter on the 'snow drift' side as long as there is a 'doghouse' built around it.

btw~ it's a 200A milbank with a 100A (milbank) OCPD retrofit,(check the SER size barely visible there) milbank berated me on voiding thier warranty for what is really common practice here.

ps~thanks Redsy, never leave home without a frosty or two [Linked Image]

~S

#115025 08/05/03 10:14 PM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,081
T
Member
Quote
milbank berated me on voiding thier warranty

Why should they be upset? One less warranty to have to honor [Linked Image]

#115026 08/05/03 10:45 PM
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 794
Likes: 3
W
Member
An equipment manufacturer could make a lot of money if they design and make an approved meter and service equipment enclosure that looks pretty to the public. It would have to be the usual metal structure on the inside, but could have a wood looking finish on the exposed outside. Offer a variety of finishes to match that of the rest of the house. A developer could tell customers that "We even made the electric meter look pretty on our houses". And still be code compliant.

#115027 08/07/03 11:49 AM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 246
R
Member
[Linked Image]

These are pics of a remodel I inspected back in 1990. Looks real "old school" compared to the pics above. Kind of neat way to do it though!

Rick Miell

[This message has been edited by Webmaster (edited 08-07-2003).]

#115028 08/10/03 01:00 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,116
Likes: 4
Member
Rick,

I've been meaning to ask, what type of panelboard was that under there? Was there a cover?

Bill


Bill
#115029 09/04/03 06:23 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 246
R
Member
Bill, sorry for the delay in getting back to you. If memory serves, it is a Square D panel, with flush cover, not raintight.

Rick

Page 2 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5