electrical corner clean-up

Want to make myself a little work shop in this garage, that would probably be dustly at times so I probably need to protect all the stuff here. Also the verizon stuff with hanging cables is just a mess, I do not like looking at it.

Or is the electrical stuff safe as is, is it just the verizon stuff I should worry about?

Looking for ideas. Is there a chance to get some cabinet for all this or is that too much stuff for one cabinet? Would I need to call Verison to move their stuff?

No idea what that box with the red light is, will take a better picture later.



http://i.imgur.com/O2RpjgP.jpg

 

Welcome to the forums! From what I see you have two standard electrical meters and one "demand" meter. Is this a multiple unit dwelling? Are your meters read via phone line or radio waves?

 

Thread moved to better forum.

 

Not your question but is this your garage exclusively? Based on the number of meters this seems to be a public area where access can't be limited. I wouldn't for reasons of security want a workshop in a public area.

 

exclusively my garage in a two-family house, so #1, #2 and 'house' meters. The red light on top is the intercom. The Verizon boxes are probably Optical Network Terminals - ONTs - and it looks like I better do not mess with these wires.

So, how dust-proof are the meters/brakers boxes? That would not be an industrial zone, but occasional grinding/welding/spray painting type of thing.

 

PS: no idea how those are read probably not via a phone line just because this is a pretty new building without a phone line probably.

 

The Verizon "boxes" next to the electric meters ARE ONTs and since they are designed to be mounted outside there is no problem with a little bit of dust.

The circuit breakers are in NEMA 1 enclosures and are not sealed against dust. On the other hand, lots of NEMA 1 enclosures are located in shop areas where they encounter a fair amount of dust so I don't see a problem.

I don't know what part of the Verizon FiOS (Fiber Operating System) you are finding objectionable so maybe a better description and a couple more pictures will help.

The electric (watthour) meters are probably "smart" meters and are read remotely, most likely through a power line superimposed carrier frequency device that requires no outside interface.

 

Anything you build around the equipment will need to proper clearances around them. Electrical equipment needs to be clear 30" wide (or the width of the equipment, whichever is greater) and 36" deep.

 

here's the part I am mostly not happy with: http://i.imgur.com/vTDB3S3.jpg



These plastic ONTs are capable of being outside? That's a surprise!

 

That set up is pretty standard for low voltage equipment.

 

Once all this is covered by dust, this would at least look depressing - even if the functionality is not affected. Do I think I should just leave everything as is?

 

In my opinion I would just leave it. That is actually a fairly neat installation and the dust you will create will not affect any of it unless the phone equipment has fans or cooling ports.

 

And you own the building?

 

Yes, those plastic ONTs are routinely mounted on the outside of homes in my area. The covers are fully gasketed so not a problem.

I agree with Tolyn that installation is better than many, although I also agree with you that it could be better. I am constantly amazed at the mess left by both telephone and cable TV installers AND the homeowners who put up with the mess. Maybe neither party really knows what a GOOD installation should look like or maybe it is the pressure on the installer (from his/her company) to get in, get the job done and get out.

As for the clearance issue, while 36 inches in front of the equipment is the National Electrical Code requirement it could be modified by the LOCAL code in effect. In Washington state the requirement is 48 inches, at least in commercial and industrial locations.

 

Build an electrical closet with outside access so any one can have free access. If the other tenant needs access do you really want him calling you at work so the cable guy can work on the cable or waking you at 2am because he tripped a breaker? Do you really want to give him a key and then wonder if you can't find a tool did he take it or leave the door unlocked? Trouble waiting to happen dust or no dust.