Thread: Are these other wires and systems allowable around Masthead?

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I recommended Buyer remove these plug in wires for snow melt system due to proximity with main service wires, but is there anything against this in the code? Is the outlet box proximity to the service head allowable? (The bedroom window is right there as well)

Also in case you were not aware, there is a new way to bunch all the grounds in a main panel into a ball and pretend to clamp them without a bus bar...

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While there is really nothing which is right about those receptacles up there - the one item which is not wrong (not prohibited) is being that close to the service conductors.

Also, the grounds in that service equipment panel (I am presuming it is the service equipment panel) are really all fudged up.

It does look like the neutral terminal bar is bonded to ground (at the top of the left neutral terminal bar).

I do see an issue with the ground wires , each needs to be secured individually - it appears someone used and all in one clamp to satisfy this - chances are there is a floating ground too (one that is not really connected (electrically to the rest) - for this reason alone - I would suggest having an electrician come in and evaluate the electrical system - it is a big enough error that you want more trained eyes (and equipment looking at it)

The De-icing cables , Look like you have to plug them in to use them - just guessing but I would not want to be up on a ladder doing that and the outlet leeds me to believe this was a do it yourself add on and not properly protected - my guess is you need to turn on the light to activate them

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I do see an issue with the ground wires , each needs to be secured individually - it appears someone used and all in one clamp to satisfy this - chances are there is a floating ground too (one that is not really connected (electrically to the rest) - for this reason alone - I would suggest having an electrician come in and evaluate the electrical system - it is a big enough error that you want more trained eyes (and equipment looking at it)

The De-icing cables , Look like you have to plug them in to use them - just guessing but I would not want to be up on a ladder doing that and the outlet leeds me to believe this was a do it yourself add on and not properly protected - my guess is you need to turn on the light to activate them

I am fairly certain that you can't run another wire up the service mast and out to that outlet. That's one that I've never seen and while creative....no bueno!

Originally Posted by chris viscomi

IMG_2038.jpg

I recommended Buyer remove these plug in wires for snow melt system due to proximity with main service wires, but is there anything against this in the code? Is the outlet box proximity to the service head allowable? (The bedroom window is right there as well)

Also in case you were not aware, there is a new way to bunch all the grounds in a main panel into a ball and pretend to clamp them without a bus bar...

IMG_2059.jpg IMG_2058.jpg

2014 NEC
230.28 Service Masts as Supports. Only power service drop or overhead service conductors shall be permitted to be attached to a service mast. Service masts used for the
support of service-drop or overhead service conductors shall be installed in accordance with 230.28(A) and (B).

Originally Posted by Lon Henderson

I am fairly certain that you can't run another wire up the service mast and out to that outlet. That's one that I've never seen and while creative....çno bueno!

What other wires are are exiting the weather head besides the service conductors? I don't see any.

Originally Posted by Brad Richter

What other wires are are exiting the weather head besides the service conductors? I don't see any.

My mistake. I enlarged the photo enough to see that the wire runs behind the mast and not out of it.

What a nightmare!!
First, draw a line 3' from the window in all directions. That is the required clearance.
I do believe the masthead should have an 18" clearance in all directions. Even if its less its too close to the soffit. Much too dangerous to service whatever is plugged in to the plugs or even change the light bulb. As for the panel...the enclosure is not bonded, each ground conductor is required to be mechanically secured and torqued??? (is that a word)as specified. I can't see the size of the main, but i'm pretty sure the aluminum service entrance cables are undersized.

Originally Posted by mary theresa craig

What a nightmare!!
First, draw a line 3' from the window in all directions. That is the required clearance.

It is? In all directions? Where did you get that from?

I do believe the masthead should have an 18" clearance in all directions.

Same as above.

As for the panel...the enclosure is not bonded,

What looks to be a bonding strap is at the top of the neutral terminal bar and is barely visible.

each ground conductor is required to be mechanically secured and torqued??? (is that a word)as specified.

ALL conductors are required to be properly torqued, but how can you tell, or what makes you think, they are not properly torqued.

Thanks Jerry, I was wondering where some of those rules were coming from too. Hope she explains her ideas.

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

It is? In all directions? Where did you get that from?




Same as above.



What looks to be a bonding strap is at the top of the neutral terminal bar and is barely visible.



ALL conductors are required to be properly torqued, but how can you tell, or what makes you think, they are not properly torqued.

I accept the challenge
although surprised your questioning the window clearance.
like i said the 18" clearance for masthead i'm unsure but i do know all parts must be accessible for servicing, without disassembling the structure, hence the mastheadhead is too close to soffit.
all devices,parts shall be approved for their application. The ground clamp is listed for a single conducted/ground rod connection. ill get you code reference on the window clearance.
and look at pic of enclosure again
so your saying the enclosure is properly bonded because the neutral bar has a strap?

Originally Posted by mary theresa craig

I accept the challenge
although surprised your questioning the window clearance.
like i said the 18" clearance for masthead i'm unsure but i do know all parts must be accessible for servicing, without disassembling the structure, hence the mastheadhead is too close to soffit.
all devices,parts shall be approved for their application. The ground clamp is listed for a single conducted/ground rod connection. ill get you code reference on the window clearance.
and look at pic of enclosure again
so your saying the enclosure is properly bonded because the neutral bar has a strap?

I see a bonding bar that runs between the bus bars. it appears to be properly secure but that does not bond the enclosure. the only source of ground (earth ground) that achieves equal potential to the service entrance and protection for equipment and occupants is the #4bare copper that should go to the ground rod. make sense?
ok code reference for clearance from a fire escape!

Originally Posted by mary theresa craig

I accept the challenge&lt;br&gt;<br>
although surprised your questioning the window clearance.&lt;br&gt;<br>
like i said the 18" clearance for masthead i'm unsure but i do know all parts must be accessible for servicing, without disassembling the structure, hence the mastheadhead is too close to soffit.&lt;br&gt;<br>
all devices,parts shall be approved for their application. The ground clamp is listed for a single conducted/ground rod connection. ill get you code reference on the window clearance. &lt;br&gt;<br>
and look at pic of enclosure again&lt;br&gt;<br>
so your saying the enclosure is properly bonded because the neutral bar has a strap?

&lt;br&gt;<br>
I see a bonding bar that runs between the bus bars. it appears to be properly secure but that does not bond the enclosure. the only source of ground (earth ground) that achieves equal potential to the service entrance and protection for equipment and occupants is the #4bare copper that should come from the ground rod. make sense?&lt;br&gt;<br>
ok code reference for clearance from a fire escape!<br>
<br>
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<br>

Originally Posted by mary theresa craig

&lt;br&gt;<br>
I see a bonding bar that runs between the bus bars. it appears to be properly secure but that does not bond the enclosure. the only source of ground (earth ground) that achieves equal potential to the service entrance and protection for equipment and occupants is the #4bare copper that should go to the ground rod. make sense?&lt;br&gt;<br>
ok code reference for clearance from a fire escape!

<br>
i stand corrected nec 230.9 requires clearance for windows on three sides(2 sides and bottom) from service drop, not the top<img src="http://www.inspectionnews.net/home_inspection/images/smilies/redface.png" border="0" alt="" title="Embarrassment" smilieid="2" class="inlineimg">

Originally Posted by mary theresa craig

I accept the challenge
although surprised your questioning the window clearance.
like i said the 18" clearance for masthead i'm unsure but i do know all parts must be accessible for servicing, without disassembling the structure, hence the mastheadhead is too close to soffit.
all devices,parts shall be approved for their application. The ground clamp is listed for a single conducted/ground rod connection. ill get you code reference on the window clearance.
and look at pic of enclosure again
so your saying the enclosure is properly bonded because the neutral bar has a strap?

Have you ever installed a weather head? How do you think it got there in the first place?

Originally Posted by mary theresa craig

ill get you code reference on the window clearance.
and look at pic of enclosure again

We'll still be here.

so your saying the enclosure is properly bonded because the neutral bar has a strap?

That is the purpose of that strap - provided it is connected properly - which is the part we cannot tell from the photo (although the little bit I see looks like it might be).

Mary, the conductor to a ground for never has to be larger than a #6.

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Mary, the conductor to a ground for never has to be larger than a #6.