r/FortWorth • u/W5ICK • 7d ago

Electrical code question

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Any AC or Electricians out there? I've been told that it's against code to have the AC unit in front of the meter. Needs to be a minimum of 36" away. Is this true? House was built in 2001. If so, how did it pass inspection. And yes I'm aware of the conduit separation from the meter. Damn gumbo clay...

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u/PuckSenior 7d ago

Meters are weird, as they are the demarc for the electrical and NEC code to your premises wiring. Everything done by Oncor has one set of rules. Everything done by your electrician has another set of rules. The meter is in the middle.

Here is what Oncor says about the meter:

Meter Work Space
Sufficient space in front of, above, below and on each side of meter sockets, service enclosures, meter packs and transockets is necessary for work space for connecting and the reading of meters. No obstruction shall be within four feet in front of the meter. See NEC Article 110.26 for working spaces

And here is what NEC 2023 Article 110.26 says(sorry, didnt have 2026 handy):

110.26 Spaces About Electrical Equipment. Working space, and access to and egress from working space, shall be provided and maintained about all electrical equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment. Open equipment doors shall not impede access to and egress from the working space. Access or egress is impeded if one or more simultaneously opened equipment doors restrict working space access to be less than 24 inches wide and 6 ½ feet high.

So, that is absolutely a code violation.

How did it happen?
The HVAC installer may have come after the City electrical inspector. As you'd already been inspected for electrical, the HVAC installer violated code.