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What's Wrong Here?

Mar 13, 2007 6:51 PM, By Joe Tedesco

Answer:

Hint: Full service door

Calvin Burton of Fox Electric, Ltd., Arlington, Texas, sent in this photo of a unique electrical service his safety manager recently ran across. As Burton notes, this installation “gives a new meaning to service door.”

As you know, a door is supposed to be used as an entry or an exit for people. In this case, that is not possible. The rules for the placement and installation of service equipment — disconnecting means can be found in 230.70. The requirement states, ”Means shall be provided to disconnect all conductors in a building or other structure from the service entrance conductors.

”(A) Location. The service disconnecting means shall be installed in accordance with 230.70(A)(1), (A)(2), and (A)(3).

”(1) Readily Accessible Location. The service disconnecting means shall be installed at a readily accessible location either outside of a building or structure or inside nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors.
”(2) Bathrooms. Service disconnecting means shall not be installed in bathrooms.
”(3) Remote Control. Where a remote control device(s) is used to actuate the service disconnecting means, the service disconnecting means shall be located in accordance with 230.70(A)(1).

“(B) Marking. Each service disconnect shall be permanently marked to identify it as a service disconnect.

(C) Suitable for Use. Each service disconnecting means shall be suitable for the prevailing conditions. Service equipment installed in hazardous (classified) locations shall comply with the requirements of Articles 500 through 517.