When is an Electrical room required 1

[bjenks]

Is there any code that determines when an electrical room is required for panels, service meters, or disconnects for <=600V equipment? In particular I was told that for a commerical service coming in to a strip mall needs to have the meter and disconnects installed inside and not outside. No code was sited and have not been able to find one except for transformer vaults. Maybe it is a local AHJ or utility call?

 

[DRWeig]

Hi bjenks,

Your specific application may be covered by either local code or local utility requirements. Nothing in the NEC prohibits outdoor service entrance equipment. We do it here in Memphis all the time.

Good on ya,

Goober Dave

 

[dpc]

It's not in the NEC. I would guess it is the local utility's rule. Or perhaps a city ordinance.

 

[alehman]

Probably a utility requirement. Sometimes they like a warm dry place to work and if they can make the customer provide it, why not? Detroit Edison used to have a requirement that meters be installed indoors.

 

[Bilegan]

The responses of DPC, DRWeig and alehman are correct. In addition, you have to consider the environment, normally high ambient air temperatures.

In the middle east, electrical equipment installed outdoor or within canopies (switchracks) with protection relays, metering and instrument devices mal-operates due to high ambient air temperature that can reach at an average of 60 degrees celcius plus the U/V radiation of the sun and the internal heat generated contribution of the equipment and devices within the enclosure will reach up to 75-80 degrees celcius.

Standards, specifications and international stds. i.e. ANSI/NFPA & IEC are amended in this region to house electrical equipment in a temperature controlled electrical room.