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Need to upgrade service from old 60A fuse panel to 200A breaker panel. Among other things one electrican suggests that the existing service drop and service entrance conductors must be relocated because of improper roof and window clearances.
The suggested new location is a) ugly, it puts it in the front of the residence and b) runs an additional 20 feet of service entrance conductor through the structure to the panel as compared to the existing location. I’d prefer the current location.
I’ve looked at the 1999 NEC and have a few questions.
230-24(a) exception 2 allows a 3ft roof clearance where roof slope is 4 in 12 or greater, I think I’m OK there. Is this hard and fast or an inspector call?
230-9 exception allows conductors above top level of a window to have less than 3ft. clearance. Does this mean drip loops must be above top of window and then it’s OK?
230-9 requires 3ft horizontal clearance from window openings for ” service conductors installed as open conductors or multi-conductors cable without an overall outer jacket…” I can’t find a definition of “overall outer jecket” and 338 allows service entrane cablw with or without an “overall outer covering,” and defines type SE as “having a flame-retardant, moisture-resistant covering.” So does this mean a service conductor WITH an overall outer jacket IS allowed within 3ft horizontally of a window opening? If so what constitutes an overall outer jacket? Would SE cable in a conduit be allowed within 3ft horizontally of a window opening? Which conduit type(s)?
TIA
Replies
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Dear Mr. Scott,
Call your electrical building inspector for an on site visit and opinion. You will probably have to pay for it, but well worth a few bucks.
Every jurisdiction is different and local rules can cause a lot of grief.
The inspector is not there to cause trouble on your site. He is there to ensure safe compliance to the code.
He or she is also very experienced with every aspect of the code and if you can safely grandfather in a change or offer an alternative, either way, they will be able to advise.
Gabe
*DScott,Gabes right on the money with this. Here on Long Island the local utility has whats called it's "redbook" it gives thier specifications. I'm sure your local utility has the same thing for the asking. Start with that and if it doesn't clear it up, then your local electrical inspector is the go to guy.Richard Max
*You can talk code til you are blue in the face and still do it wrong. As Richard says check with your local utility. Their specs will always be to code and will also be what they require. If you meet code and don't do what the utility wants then you are SOL. They should have specs with illustrations available.
*LILCO or ConEd?
*DScott,LILCO, which is now LIPA. I haven't picked up the new LIPA book (if there is one) but I have the LILCO redbook here in my office. Are you in my area? You can get them at the main office in Hicksville.Richard Max
*Ditto,Ditto,Ditto the local utility and inspector bit......but.....have you thought about going underground with your new service in lieu of overhead. This would cost a littl more but eliminate many of your potential problems
*Well that would likely require blasting through ledge. Some possibility of going under the existing driveway which needs repaving anyway... if they allow the UG service under paving. Either way it involves impacting a number of trees. And the poles run on the opposite side of the street so it would mean tearing up the street or installing a second ugly pole for the drop.
*Thanks, I'm across the sound in ConEd territory. I put a call in to their local rep a while back which was never returned, I'll chase him again.
*Incidentally, I've done 2 of these upgrades lately. Same location no complications $800.