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Posted By: sidmuer sub panel in elevator shaft - 05/02/12 06:31 AM
Hello.
I am trying to find some info, and seem to be hitting a wall.
I was wondering if anyone here knew the min subpanel height in an elevator shaft?
And if no min, what would the maximum be?

Thanks.
Posted By: Tesla Re: sub panel in elevator shaft - 05/02/12 10:12 PM
In my state, California, elevators are regulated at the state level -- with special almighty inspectors.

They'd never permit such a beast in the first place, at what ever height you care to posit.

Elevator regulation overrides the NEC -- and is much, much more restrictive.
Posted By: sidmuer Re: sub panel in elevator shaft - 05/02/12 11:05 PM
I was also thinking, along the lines if this just not being permisible.
Especially in the case of an emergency, you'd want easy access.

I guess, at this point, I will assume it is just not possible.
Posted By: mikesh Re: sub panel in elevator shaft - 05/03/12 12:52 AM
You cannot put any building services in an elevator shaft unless it is for the elevators. This is not much at all. Smoke detector, pit light and pit receptacle. I have done more than 1 service call to remove electrical installations that used the elevator shaft as a riser ie only emt and 3 wires were in the pipe.
Now for the mechanical room you need permission from the elevator inspector to put anything more than the electrical for the elevator. Even a jb can be refused if it is not associated with the operation of the elevator. So a disconnect for the car and a disconnect for the car light. a light and switch for the room and a plug for the elevator service guys. Fire alarm device. All other equipment is by the elevator company.

So a panel? No way. even the disco for the elevator has to have a pilot switch that operates from the opening of the main disconnect and a panel won't work for that either.
Posted By: sidmuer Re: sub panel in elevator shaft - 05/03/12 04:32 AM
Thanks Mikesh!
It is actually a test question. Although I do not know if I have read it correct (bad memory??) But if my bad memory is correct, the question was: What's the min height of a sub-panel in an elevator shaft?
I would assume the sub-panel is for the elevator. But by the looks of it, even a sub-panel for the elevator is not allowed in the shaft. Correct?

Originally Posted by mikesh
You cannot put any building services in an elevator shaft unless it is for the elevators. This is not much at all. Smoke detector, pit light and pit receptacle. I have done more than 1 service call to remove electrical installations that used the elevator shaft as a riser ie only emt and 3 wires were in the pipe.
Now for the mechanical room you need permission from the elevator inspector to put anything more than the electrical for the elevator. Even a jb can be refused if it is not associated with the operation of the elevator. So a disconnect for the car and a disconnect for the car light. a light and switch for the room and a plug for the elevator service guys. Fire alarm device. All other equipment is by the elevator company.

So a panel? No way. even the disco for the elevator has to have a pilot switch that operates from the opening of the main disconnect and a panel won't work for that either.
Posted By: HotLine1 Re: sub panel in elevator shaft - 05/03/12 11:23 PM
FYI, that will not fly down here in NJ either!
Posted By: mikesh Re: sub panel in elevator shaft - 05/04/12 01:02 AM
Test question?

My answer would be only materials directly associated with the elevator may be in the shaft plus the smoke detector.
From 38-005 the minimum headroom is 2000mm but that is for controllers, disconnecting means but not panelboards which I would prohibit under 6-206 locating a panel in a hoistway should anyone think it is an acceptable location.
Posted By: sidmuer Re: sub panel in elevator shaft - 05/06/12 01:22 PM
thanks guys! Obviously a trick question.
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