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Posted By: Admin A Good Service Location?? - 01/07/04 12:16 AM
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This was taken outside of a set of $300K townhomes, all the salt on the drive for icemelting didn't really show up. The overhang is just open decks. I'm more familiar with Chicago code than NEC, but this service exposure can't be good anywhere.

User- chi spark
Posted By: chi spark Re: A Good Service Location?? - 01/07/04 04:17 AM
I took the above picture and posted it- my first- so I wasn't sure if it would work out, but now that it's here, how about that location? I can't believe this is a good idea- to put the service head in such an exposed area where their garbage cans are placed for pickup, and right next to the overhead door. Also how long till that needs service with salt, snow, etc? And this passed in a normally tough town.
Posted By: Bill Addiss Re: A Good Service Location?? - 01/07/04 06:14 PM
Chris,

Welcome to ECN!
I agree that a Driveway isn't the best place for this Equipment. With the design of the Building though the options are probably limited.

Do you know if there's rigid conduit behind that sheet metal? Just curious about the construction of these pedestals and if the conductors are protected by anything more than the enclosure.

Bill
Posted By: iwire Re: A Good Service Location?? - 01/07/04 07:35 PM
I think this would be allowed in my area as long as bollards where installed to protect the enclosures.

Of course that would be a hard sell to the occupants and architect as they would be 3' to 4' back from the meter face.
Posted By: chi spark Re: A Good Service Location?? - 01/07/04 11:22 PM
Bill- I don't know about protection- I didn't see any other enclosures around building. I think I may have put in a bank on either end rather than out in the exposed drive. Salt is the snow shovel of choice around here, I wouldn't really care for the replacement job here when the pedestals get rotten. maybe they could have curbed it a bit with concrete to at least prevent water, debris from sitting against ground penetration. I am also curious as to grounding rods-our towns have been going to rod at service and street side water, since this is < 3 yrs old there should be one for each, maybe it's in the garage.
IWIRE- My point exactly- the drive is only about 20 ft from the grass to the overhead doors, and those are 2-car garages. Try getting a caddy in there with bollards 3 ft out! Still, I'd hate to back up into a meter with the van, better a bollard.
Posted By: electure Re: A Good Service Location?? - 01/08/04 03:09 AM
Like you said, chi spark, here it would have to be raised above grade on a concrete curb or the PoCo wouldn't buy it. (Is that wiring coming out of the top? If so, what kind?)
Welcome!! [Linked Image]
It would also require iwire's bollards.
Posted By: PCBelarge Re: A Good Service Location?? - 01/08/04 03:38 AM
With those lights above the garage doors, no one will ever miss the service enclosures [Linked Image]

Besides I do not believe that it is possible to slide on any of the ice and ram into those services. Maybe you can slide hard enough and get two [Linked Image]

Pierre
Posted By: ComputerWizKid Re: A Good Service Location?? - 01/08/04 04:39 AM
yeah I'm more worried about a car hitting it or say its coverd in snow and rotten and someones snow shovel goes right throgh the rotten metal. Lawsuit time [Linked Image]
Posted By: smokeeater 38 Re: A Good Service Location?? - 01/09/04 08:06 PM
My fear is someone hitting them. Either pulling in the garage or with the snowplow.

The salt is not going to do them any good.

ComputerWizKid, good point about the shovel.
Posted By: John Steinke Re: A Good Service Location?? - 01/12/04 09:24 PM
My first take is that this is a pretty good location- you're not going to spend an hour looking behind bushes for it, there won't be an a/c set in front of it, you're not standing in the mud, a mile from your truck, etc.
The small trash can can be easily moved, and will serve as a "warning" to a careless
parker. The installation of more substantial barriers has often been cited as a working space violation- even though code requires protection from traffic hazards!
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