Gentlemen, I am having a problem deciding on when a home is considered a mobile or a manufactured home per the NEC. The definitions are very similar. This pertains to the mounting of the service equiptment on the home which is not allowed on mobiles but is on manufactured as long as they meet the 7 numbered conditions in Art.550.32 (B)I think the intent of the code is that mobiles don't necessarily have to be tied or anchored and to qualify for service mount for the manufactured home item (1) states it must be secured in place. How is every one handling this

Well, I'm no expert on mobile homes but I will tell you what I know about them:

Most mobile homes that we see today are in fact, manufactured homes. There should be an indication on the home itself to verify this, also look at the manufacturers installation manual, which has a PE's seal on it.

Mobile homes and manufactured homes are not governed by the National Electrical Code. Yes, it's covered in the NEC, but there are federal and state agencies, and regulations that over rule NEC. To play it safe, the correct way to inspect the installation (what everyone is SUPPOSED to do) is to go by the Manufacturers Installation Instructions for that home. Many times you will find that the requirements there exceed the NEC. Wire sizes are always bigger. Also, they will spec out copper in many cases and not have an option for aluminum. As an electrical inspector, you know that you can never override the manufacturers instructions. Many times when an inspector does the correct thing and goes by the manufacturers installation book (supposed to be on site) the contractor cries, calls your boss, and tells him that "this has never happened to him before." And --- he's probably correct. Most electrical inspectors inspect mobile homes incorrectly (I'll probably catch some flack for stating it so bluntly but it's the truth). By that I mean that we are allowing installations other than what it says in the manufacturer's installation instructions. It's really not our place to do this.

But to get back on track, I would first see if the installation book specs out if a service is allowed to be installed on the MH, or if it shows adjacent to. It may not specify.

There are other factors to consider. Is it in a "mobile home park" and is the equipment owned by the park? If so, I would insist that it be adjacent to the MH, and not installed on it.

A lot of times it comes down to what the AHJ will do. I remember one time when I was CEI in Pasco County, I started enforcing MHs according to the manufacturers installation instructions. Phil Bergelt with the state actually gives a class on this, and insists that this is the way it has to be enforced. During the time I enforced MHs correctly, my boss lost what little hair he had left. He was constantly bombarded with phone calls from contractors, who complained, because we were enforcing to the state guidelines. But here's the real knife in the back:

When we put the contractor in touch with Phil Bergelt at the state level, Phil didn't back us up and told us basically "as long as it meets NEC it's ok with us..." So Phil doesn't practice what he preaches, or what they teach in their classes. They throw it right back on us, and in that case we find ourselves approving the installation incorrectly.

So, I hope my rambling on and on helps somewhat. I hope some other people chime in on this conversation. Phil - are you out there? Would you like to twist the knife a little further??

(Sorry folks, but those of you who know me know I tell it like it is).

Nick, I agree you should go by the maufacturer's instructions (set up manual),but this is an old model with no manual. I contacted one of the larger mobile home manufacturer's and they stated they don't care where the service is mounted and don't put it in their manual's. This particular home is not in a park so I am going to assume it is a manufactured home, properly secured and allow the service on the home, but I will enforce all the items in article 550.32 (B)
Thanks for your input I always enjoy it.

Well - now I'm more skeptical. If it is an oldie I would check for the label and the insignia before I classify it. Does it bear any info? If they didn't have that I would be reluctant.

If I went with it I wouldn't want to set any precedents, if you get my drift.

Also, I am noticing 550.10(I), could be of interest. (See you made me go out and get my codebook - I guess it's a good thing...!)

This is how we handle that question over here.
If it's set up with it's wheels and tongue still attached it's a mobile home. If it's set up on a foundation or piers, wheel carriage removed, tongue removed, and permanently skirted it's a manufactured home.
I must note that a mobile home is a manufactured home just a different catergory.