Texas Electrical Code for Location of 50 amp inlet box

TexLeoAg

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I am installing a 50 amp inlet to back feed my main panel when our power shuts off (using generator as power source / also using an interlock on my main panel). I wanted to install the inlet in close proximity to my main panel which is on the exterior of my house. I was curious on the minimum distance off the ground the inlet needs to be and the minimum distance to the main panel it can be? Appreciate any help with this!

Edit: I am reading that NEC says no minimum for an outlet off the ground. Max of the ground is 6.5 ft unless it serves a specific purpose.

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UnderoosAg

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2:30p, 11/2/23

AG

High enough to keep it out of the mud and your weedeater, low enough to not have your cable flopping all over. No min distance from the panel, but there is a dedicated space from the bottom of the panel to the ground, and it's the size of the panel footprint (as if the panel sat on the ground). Can't put anything in that space.

TexLeoAg

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3:49p, 11/2/23

Ahhh, I was wondering why my neighbors inlet was not directly under his main panel. Thanks for the help!

GrimesCoAg95

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In reply to UnderoosAg • 10:49a, 11/3/23

AG

UnderoosAg,

You always bring great knowledge on electrical questions. What is the rationale behind this part of the code? Is it tripping or access?

I ask because if you had an exterior outlet on an interior panel, what is the code protecting?

I am not questioning your response, but I am curious as to why the code includes this.

Thanks.

UnderoosAg

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2:01p, 11/3/23

AG

I'll preface this with the caveat that the difference between the National Electrical Code and the Bible, is the code has started more arguments, fights and wars over its interpretation and enforcement. /winkyface

The code wants there to be space to install the panel, access the panel, and work on the panel. The dedicated equipment space is for installation of the panel and related conduits. If you ran a water line or something under the panel, there may or may not be room to go back and add something later, and then brother-in-law "there I fixed it" workmanship comes into play. You also don't want something dripping, leaking, etc., onto the panel.

Quote:
The space equal to the width and depth of the equipment, and extending from grade to a height of 1.8m (6 ft) above the equipment, shall be dedicated to the electrical installation. No piping or other equipment foreign to the electrical installation shall be located in this zone.

The trick is defining what is or is not foreign to the install. Some might only consider conduit, strut, ground rods or the like as related to the installation. Other inspectors might be perfectly fine with considering a receptacle as part of the electrical installation. If you had a recessed panel inside the house, the dedicated equipment space would technically be inside the wall (still above and below the panel), and your working clearance would start at the face of the wall.

The 6'6" height requirement is pretty common throughout the code. It wants to make sure the average person can reach up and turn it off, unplug, etc.

And if you want to start a really good fight, ask three electricians if a receptacle should be installed ground pin up or down. Brisket fat ain't got nothing on ground pins.

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BenTheGoodAg

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In reply to UnderoosAg • 2:59p, 11/3/23

AG

UnderoosAg said:
And if you want to start a really good fight, ask three electricians if a receptacle should be installed ground pin up or down. Brisket fat ain't got nothing on ground pins.

Laugh/Cry

The right answer is the ground pin goes up. My wife tells me the the ground pin goes down. So at our house, the ground pin goes down...

*takes cover*

87IE

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In reply to UnderoosAg • 3:01p, 11/3/23

AG

Quote:
And if you want to start a really good fight, ask three electricians if a receptacle should be installed ground pin up or down. Brisket fat ain't got nothing on ground pins.

We opened a new commercial facility in 2020 and the outlets are all installed with the ground pin UP... I asked why and they told me that in case anything falls and knocks the plug partway out then if something metal hits the prong it won't short out..

I asked how many times that's happened and they just laughed..

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UnderoosAg

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1:42p, 11/4/23

AG

Of equal random likelihood is the idea that with pin down, ground is the last thing to be disconnected should it fall out. Or that when you go to pull the cord, your longer index finger is on the bottom.

I'd look at specific locations like laundry rooms where there's a better chance of having a right angled cord where the pin is down, so you don't have the cord rainbowing up.

Or apply the happy wife happy life rule