Francis Vineyard
Registered User
Is it correct that an indoor panel type listed as raintight allowed under an open porch and if so how is the panel different from other indoor enclosures?
Francis
Francis
Raintight. Constructed or protected so that exposure to a beating rain will not result in the entrance of water under specified test conditions.
Weatherproof. Constructed or protected so that exposure to the weather will not interfere with successful operation.FPN: Rainproof, raintight, or watertight equipment can fulfill the requirements for weatherproof where varying weather conditions other than wetness, such as snow, ice, dust, or temperature extremes, are not a factor.
Apparently there are many classifications such as raintight, rainproof, weatherproof, etcINDOOR AND OUTDOOR USE
Unless outdoor use is specifically indicated in the general Guide Information for the product category or included in the individual Listings of the
product, individual appliances have been investigated only for use indoors, unless the product, by its inherent nature, is obviously intended for use outdoors
Enclosure may be marked as followsA Type 1 enclosure may be marked‘‘Indoor Use Only’’ .
A Type 3, 3S, 4, 4X, 6 or 6P enclosure may be marked ‘‘Raintight’’ .
A Type 3R enclosure may be marked ‘‘Rainproof’’ .
A Type 4, 4X, 6 or 6P enclosure may be marked ‘‘Watertight’’ .
A Type 4X or 6P enclosure may be marked ‘‘Corrosion Resistant’’ .
A Type 2, 5, 12, 12K or 13 enclosure may be marked ‘‘Driptight’’
A Type 3, 3S, 5, 12K, or 13 enclosure may be marked ‘‘Dusttight’’
For equipment designated ‘‘Raintight,’’ testing designed to simulate exposure to a beating rain will not result in entrance of water. For equipment
designated ‘‘Rainproof,’’ testing designed to simulate exposure to a beating rain will not interfere with the operation of the apparatus or result in wetting of live parts and wiring within the enclosure. ‘‘Watertight’’ equipment is so constructed that water does not enter the enclosure when subjected to a stream of water. ‘‘Corrosion resistant’’ equipment is so constructed that it provides degree of protection against exposure to corrosive agents such as salt spray
Location, Damp. Locations protected from weather and not subject to saturation with water or other liquids but subject to moderate degrees of moisture. Examples of such locations include partially protected locations under canopies, marquees, roofed open porches, and like locations, and interior locations subject to moderate degrees of moisture, such as some basements, some barns, and some cold-storage warehouses.Location, Dry. A location not normally subject to dampness or wetness. A location classified as dry may be temporarily subject to dampness or wetness, as in the case of a building under construction.
Location, Wet. Installations underground or in concrete slabs or masonry in direct contact with the earth; in locations subject to saturation with water or other liquids, such as vehicle washing areas; and in unprotected locations exposed to weather.
In which code book would you find this definition that you are referencing?globe trekker said:If located 2 ft. from the inside edge of the overhang, then IMO, it would be awet location. See the definition of a blowing rain!
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Good point on the crawl space Denise, This is one code section that has a lot of questions asked and unanswered. There are situation where high relative humidity in an enclosure location that can go unnoticed and cause a hazardous situation without being exposed to water in a liquid state.Dennis said:Without specifics it is, imo, futile to judge whether it is damp or wet. Even then each AHJ will look at it differently. If you look at the definition of Damp then porches are included. Obviously if it can be saturated with rain it is wet but moderate degrees of dampness would still be damp location.The term not subject to saturation includes getting a little water spray. Again this definition has lots to be desired as most existing crawl spaces are damp and there is plenty of nm cable in it.
Refer to Article 90.4, in the 2008 NEC..In which code book would you find this definition that you are referencing?
The point is you cannot arbitrarily use some rule that comes from your hat. IMO, that is unfair and unwise. Each situation is different and should be looked at. Even if it is compliant, the idea of an indoor panel on a porch is a bad idea anyway. It is not much more for a WP panel.ICE said:The code gives a definition. The code doesn't look out of your window and tell you if it's raining. Will it get wet is all you need to know. My AHJ has a simple rule rather than a new determination every time.
So now you've got me sitting on my hat?Dennis said:The point is you cannot arbitrarily use some rule that comes from your hat. IMO, that is unfair and unwise. Each situation is different and should be looked at. Even if it is compliant, the idea of an indoor panel on a porch is a bad idea anyway. It is not much more for a WP panel.Personally I don't have respect for an ahj that simply states "I want it this way". Generally I go above board and do more than what the code requires so most issues are not a problem however I will not have someone tell me I should wire the house their way because they prefer it.
You stated yourself that you didn't know where it came from. All I am saying is if you show me it as code I am down with it. If you can't then you should not be enforcing it.ICE said:So now you've got me sitting on my hat?