Welder receptacle Location

MisterSteve · 04-25-2012, 01:07 PM

Is there any reason I can't mount a 50 amp receptacle for a welder a few inches below the panel to save on the cost of the wire? Is THHN or 6/3 nm preferred?

itsnotrequired · 04-25-2012, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterSteve

Is there any reason I can't mount a 50 amp receptacle for a welder a few inches below the panel to save on the cost of the wire? Is THHN or 6/3 nm preferred?

only catch may be dedicated equipment space. the area below the panel is "dedicated to the electrical installation". sort of a gray area if utilization equipment receptacles can be within this area.

Code05 · 04-25-2012, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsnotrequired

only catch may be dedicated equipment space. the area below the panel is "dedicated to the electrical installation". sort of a gray area if utilization equipment receptacles can be within this area.

Not IMO, it is part of the associated equipment to the electrical installation. How would this be different from a conviennce receptacle?

(a) Dedicated Electrical Space. The space equal to the
width and depth of the equipment and extending from the
floor to a height of 1.8 m (6 ft) above the equipment or to
the structural ceiling, whichever is lower, shall be dedicated
to the electrical installation. No piping, ducts, leak protection
apparatus, or other equipment foreign to the electrical
installation shall be located in this zone.

itsnotrequired · 04-25-2012, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Code05

Not IMO, it is part of the associated equipment to the electrical installation. How would this be different from a conviennce receptacle?

(a) Dedicated Electrical Space. The space equal to the
width and depth of the equipment and extending from the
floor to a height of 1.8 m (6 ft) above the equipment or to
the structural ceiling, whichever is lower, shall be dedicated
to the electrical installation. No piping, ducts, leak protection
apparatus, or other equipment foreign to the electrical
installation shall be located in this zone.

like i said, sort of a gray area. most of the time it isn't an issue, especially for smaller things. it relates to 'dedicated to the electrical installation' interpretation. an example would be a transformer serving a panel board, with the transformer only a foot or so above the panel. as long as that transformer placement doesn't violate the working space height, is it acceptable? i've seen inspectors reject it. electricians absolutely hate it. i like to see only conduit in the 6 foot area above a panelboard but that's just me. but for something like a top entry panelboard with a receptacle underneath, not a problem.

k_buz · 04-25-2012, 03:15 PM

As long as the welder isn't bolted down, it would be acceptable.

Code05 · 04-25-2012, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsnotrequired

like i said, sort of a gray area. most of the time it isn't an issue, especially for smaller things. it relates to 'dedicated to the electrical installation' interpretation. an example would be a transformer serving a panel board, with the transformer only a foot or so above the panel. as long as that transformer placement doesn't violate the working space height, is it acceptable? i've seen inspectors reject it. electricians absolutely hate it. i like to see only conduit in the 6 foot area above a panelboard but that's just me. but for something like a top entry panelboard with a receptacle underneath, not a problem.

transformer is legal as long as it does not violate working space requirements.

itsnotrequired · 04-25-2012, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Code05

transformer is legal as long as it does not violate working space requirements.

yes, it is legal but ugly.

here's one for you: say that transformer didn't serve the panel below it but instead served some other panel. i believe technically it is still legal but in my opinion, this is getting into an area where it is 'abusing' the intent of the dedicated equipment space requirement.

Code05 · 04-25-2012, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsnotrequired

yes, it is legal but ugly.

here's one for you: say that transformer didn't serve the panel below it but instead served some other panel. i believe technically it is still legal but in my opinion, this is getting into an area where it is 'abusing' the intent of the dedicated equipment space requirement.

I agree, but I could block the whole space with troughs and be legal.

MisterSteve · 04-26-2012, 11:56 AM

So, would it be acceptable to have a 4" square metal box on a 50 amp receptacle about 4" below the panel within the same stud bay with #6 THHN in 3/4"emt.