GHoffman
Member
- Location
- Glenrock, Wy
I need your help as soon as possible.
We have a dilemma at our current job site with installation of seal-off’s in a gas production facility at our present job site. The situation is that it is common practice to install a short within 18", a run from the seal-off, to a GUAC conduit body, on to a hazard rated union, and on to an instrument; in all, does not exceed the 18 inch maximum requirement as per NEC Art. 501.15(A)(1)(2) and 501.15(A)(3) See attached picture.
With understanding that in NEC Art. 501.15(A)(3) first states that two or more enclosures basically have to have a seal-off within 18" of each other of not more than 36" in a conduit run and goes on to state "or run of conduit shall be considered sufficient if the seal is located not more than 450 mm (18 in) from the enclosure." Until now, our past customers in the Class I, Division I environment, ruled this installation acceptable and within guidelines.
The reasoning on this is so that if the instrument needs to be replaced, that you can access conductors from the GUAC without damaging them. In addition, the instrument could be easily replaced without shortened or damaging branch circuit conductors, prevent possible seal-off damage and make termination readily accessible. Unfortunately, although this installation is common practice here in the gas and oil fields, the customer wages different to say that this installation is not legal.
Please advise.
Regards, Scooter Hoffman
We have a dilemma at our current job site with installation of seal-off’s in a gas production facility at our present job site. The situation is that it is common practice to install a short within 18", a run from the seal-off, to a GUAC conduit body, on to a hazard rated union, and on to an instrument; in all, does not exceed the 18 inch maximum requirement as per NEC Art. 501.15(A)(1)(2) and 501.15(A)(3) See attached picture.
With understanding that in NEC Art. 501.15(A)(3) first states that two or more enclosures basically have to have a seal-off within 18" of each other of not more than 36" in a conduit run and goes on to state "or run of conduit shall be considered sufficient if the seal is located not more than 450 mm (18 in) from the enclosure." Until now, our past customers in the Class I, Division I environment, ruled this installation acceptable and within guidelines.
The reasoning on this is so that if the instrument needs to be replaced, that you can access conductors from the GUAC without damaging them. In addition, the instrument could be easily replaced without shortened or damaging branch circuit conductors, prevent possible seal-off damage and make termination readily accessible. Unfortunately, although this installation is common practice here in the gas and oil fields, the customer wages different to say that this installation is not legal.
Please advise.
Regards, Scooter Hoffman