ECN Electrical Forum - Discussion Forums for Electricians, Inspectors and Related Professionals
ECN Shout Chat
ShoutChat
Recent Posts
UL 508A SPACING
by ale348 - 03/29/24 01:09 AM
Increasing demand factors in residential
by tortuga - 03/28/24 05:57 PM
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
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 (ale348), 302 guests, and 14 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
#112283 05/15/01 08:50 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,682
Likes: 3
Admin Offline OP
Administrator
Member
Quote
Being an inspector for an engineering firm is a bit different than
working for a State, or County. The contractor knows after the first few "encounters" what you will expect. At Dulles, we expect them to READ their specs, and KNOW their code. They also know we will be there all day, every day. It is best to ask the question prior to beginning work, and we are always available for the consultation. A contractor was to provide temporary power for a major rebuild (I'd rather not say what as that pinpoints the project and contractor). I was not paying a lot of attention as Conex boxes came in, but being nosy, a few days later, I opened a conex box to find what you see in the pictures.

<img border="0" src="https://www.electrical-contractor.net/Violations/Submissions/conex.jpg" alt="Submitted by George Corron" width="400" height="260">
Quote
This is what they had done (and spent a LOT of money to really mess up some good equipment)

1. Taken the coils out of an old 13.2/480 transformer and bolted them to the floor of the conex box. 2500 kva (big fella), access was through a 2' bolted panel, or through the 15 kv switch. Violation 110-3, 450-13 NEC, 110-16 (96 code)

<img border="0" src=&q...;225" height="300">

<font color="#800000">Click on Photo for a closer look</font>

Quote
2. Removed the back panel off the 15 kv switch and used it as the front wall of the transformer. Violation 110-3, 90-7

3. The conex also included a 480 volt MDP. Top removed, rear removed, buss bars rearranged to fit the design. Condition 2 with just 3' clearance provided at front. Violation 110-3, 110-16.

<img border="0" src="https://www.electrical-contractor.net/Violations/Submissions/hotbox400.jpg" alt="Inside" width="400" height="300">

<img border="0" src=&q...;400" height="300">

<font color="#800000">Click on Photo for a closer look</font>

Quote
Of course, not considering the violations alone, a CONEX box ?? Do you know how HOT they get in the summer sun ? Think that might affect the equipment? I have not found stats on the temps, but you better believe I will take some measurements of my own this summer, just for reference. Square D, and UL might be a bit ticked that they butchered the equipment like this,

don't ya think ??
George Corron



[This message has been edited by Webmaster (edited 05-15-2001).]

#112284 05/15/01 09:12 PM
A
Anonymous
Unregistered
Perhaps the conex box is a listed enclosure?
If the doors will swing open, you have your working clearance. Everything inside is within the enclosure. Your arms are just too short.

As for temperature, you wouldn't mind if they leave the doors open this summer, would you? The transformer runs cooler without the factory case around it, you know.

Perhaps you can bust them for not having two ground rods.

#112285 05/16/01 06:02 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,392
S
Member
George;
i wonder if a NRTL would list it as an assembly?

[Linked Image]

#112286 05/16/01 07:23 AM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,294
Member
It just needs some wheels and a long cord to perfect the design.

#112287 05/22/01 10:29 PM
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 717
G
Member
Happy ending. They replaced the equipment, had the USED equipment tested by a NRTL (met) and all is well, danged I don't get to measure the temp of the transformer as it bursts into flames. One of the guys from the electrical contractor said we did it wrong, considering where we are, we should have put wings on it, push it down the runway and see if it flies.

#112288 05/23/01 10:10 AM
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 176
W
Member
Obviously, shop drawings were not submitted and approved by the specifying engineer, and if they were, the contractor tried to pull a fast one. Good job on this catch.


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