I have another question, as per 210.52(E)(3), Let's take a good size house with a nice big front porch that is say 1'-2' off the grade. To the left side of the house in the front yard there is a weatherproof receptacle installed as per code. Would you require another receptacle within the perimeter of the front porch?
Harold:
A 'by the book' answer would be "Yes" there should be one at the porch.
Perhaps a bad layout by the EC?
I agree with John. The intent of article 210 is reducing the use of extension cords and this is a case where they would be stringing a cord over to the porch if they wanted to plug in a fan, TV or whatever.
I think the other side of the coin might be if the porch has steps or stairs from grade level, does the receptacle on the porch satisfy the requirement for the receptacle at the front of the dwelling accessible from grade level?
Kjay:
To your comment I will say yes.
I suppose the cost would depend on what kind of rail you are trying to match.
John,
OK, so if we have a receptacle on the front porch, that would would count as one for the porch and the one in the front of the house. Right?
However if we only have one in the front of the house, then we would have to add another one over the porch area?
Harold:
Dependent on the design of the 'front' the one on the porch may suffice for code compliance. Really could not say for sure without seeing the situation.
A situation could be what we see with holidat dec lighting, the cords all over the front of houses. That is what I refer to as 'temp lighting' & usually don't say anything about that unless it is deemed a danger.
Again, the final decission is your call.
Stay safe!
John,
These are just some of the questions that I get from EC's in my area. The EC's I deal with know that they can talk to me and I don't give them any bull or any attitude and I try to answer any/all questions that they will pose to me. A different EC was failed for this problem in another town, so he asked me for my opinion.
I know of one area that would not accept the one over the porch as the one for the front yard. Their take is the steps remove it from being at grade level. I could see this if the porch was out of reach above grade, but the words do support their interpretation. It just seems a little strict.
Joe Tedesco made popular the interpretation that a receptacle on the porch was not 'accessible from grade,' and thus did not fulfill the requirement.
While, in most cases, this view seems to make sense, the real world tends to mess with the rulebook. The AHJ is the one who needs to take into account the buildings' design as well as the placement on the lot to apply the rule.
I don't think I would normally try to cheap out by only putting that one receptacle on the porch, but it does appear to meet the requirements for both accessible and readily accessible as defined in Art. 100. If not, then it seems that every switch and receptacle located on a platform with stairs to access it would be in violation of being accessible and/or readily accessible, at grade level or not.
Reno:
Your comment about Joe Ts opinion on this subject is indeed one persons 'opinion' or interp; not gospel, nor could it apply to each and every case.
Reminds me of 'The inspector in xxx allows that; or doesn't want that'.