Thread: Are these to close?

Inspection today and these 2 are next to each other.

The box above the gas is the 200AMP main service.

Best

Ron

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Ron,

More than just too close, the gas meter is in the REQUIRED working space in front of the electrical equipment.

Thanks Jerry. I was thinking i saw something one time about gas and the panel a fire hazard ?

Best

Ron

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Originally Posted by Ron Bibler

Thanks Jerry. I was thinking i saw something one time about gas and the panel a fire hazard ?

Best

Ron

Hi Ron,

The mandated working clearance is not always a fire hazard, though certainly a gas meter and especially the vent could create just that. The working clearance is to allow for working on equipment and has some safety issues involved. Once equipment is opened up, there is often exposed live parts. QUOTE FROM NEC (are we allowed to do this - quote the NEC?)

"(3) Height of Working Space The work space shall be clear and extend from the grade, floor, or platform to the height required by 110.26(E). Within the height requirements of this section, other equipment that is associated with the electrical installation and is located above or below the electrical equipment shall be permitted to extend not more than 150 mm (6 in.) beyond the front of the electrical equipment."

UNQUOTE

This working clearance is a minimal requirement and changes if the object opposing the face of the panel is grounded, and may also vary with respect to voltage and amperage:

QUOTE FROM NEC
"Exhibit 110.18 Working space with one entrance. Only one entrance is required if the working space required by 110.26(A) is doubled. See Table 110.26(A)(1) for permitted dimensions of X.
Table 110.26(A)(1) Working Spaces
Nominal Voltage to Ground Minimum Clear Distance
...............Condition1.......... Condition 2........ Condition 3
0–150........900 mm (3 ft)..... 900 mm (3 ft)...... 900 mm (3 ft)
151–600......900 mm (3 ft).....1.1 m (31/2).........1.2 m (4 ft)

Note: Where the conditions are as follows:
Condition 1 — Exposed live parts on one side of the working space and no live or grounded parts on the other side of the working space, or exposed live parts on both sides of the working space that are effectively guarded by insulating materials.
Condition 2 — Exposed live parts on one side of the working space and grounded parts on the other side of the working space. Concrete, brick, or tile walls shall be considered as grounded.
Condition 3 — Exposed live parts on both sides of the working space."

UNQUOTE

Isn't the concrete, tile, brick, etc., an interesting point?
james

It may have been okay at the start of things. The electrical could have been there prior to the gas meter or the porch and railings.

Still it violates the NEC...just may have been caused by the plumber or whoever built the porch. They probably didn't know that they were creating a problem.

The location of the gas meter and its components relative to the location of the electrical meter is improper and a safety concern. The potential for a gas leak and an electrical overcurrent and arc is present which could be catastrophic. I believe the clearance minimum is 3 ft.

Greg in VT