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The Code Question of the Day (CQD) is NECA and ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR Magazine’s flagship National Electrical Code (NEC®) public forum for the industry. The daily distribution of Q&A generates a lively dialogue and shares relative Code-based practical responses.
August 3, 2026
Good morning CQD. I have a condenser marked 28A Minimum Circuit Ampacity, and 45A Max Overcurrent Protection. Can I use a 60A breaker to avoid nuisance trips? Thanks, Greg H.
July 31, 2026
Regarding 7/10/26 CQD:
Good Morning, NEC 230.6 Conductors Considered Outside the Building may provide the person who submitted this question some relief. There are a few options listed (1-5) that may help with his situation.
Thank You for this forum! As a prior Electrical Inspector, Plans Examiner and Code Official, I am now in the private world in charge of a design team creating Engineered Plans in Commercial and Industrial designs. I look forward everyday to the Code question and your response. Thank You! Michael S.
I think the code writers are going to specify a distance someday, but the 2023 code has addressed the outside disconnect so a distance is not a matter any more unless the outside disconnect is only a three wire service rated switch. Bill S.
Original 7/10 CQD: Hi CQD, how far can service entrance conductors run inside a building before reaching the service disconnect? The panel location on this project puts the conductors inside the building for roughly 12 feet and the inspector is questioning it. Thanks, Gary N.
Original Response: Hello Gary, the NEC requires the service disconnecting means to be in a readily accessible location either outside the building or inside nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors per Section 230.70(A)(1). For occupancies other than one- and two-family dwellings, Section 230.70(A)(2) applies. The NEC does not specify an exact maximum distance in feet. The actual distance your inspector will accept is based on their interpretation of "nearest," with the intent being to minimize the length of unprotected conductors inside the building.
Thank you Michael for the kind words and feedback. 230.6 may prove helpful as you suggested, giving scenarios such as concrete encasement below a structure, in vaults, underground installations, and RMC or IMC through an eave of a building.
Thank you also Bill for your insights and continued contributions to CQD!