Overhead branch circuit and feeder conductors shall not be installed beneath what type of openings?

The focus on overhead branch circuit and feeder conductors is critical for ensuring safety in electrical installations. Conductors should not be installed beneath openings used for material movement because these locations typically involve the passage of heavy or potentially hazardous materials that could easily interfere with or damage electrical systems.

When materials are being moved, the equipment or items can strike or misroute the conductors, leading to possible electrical failures or hazards, such as short circuits or electrical fires. By keeping conductors away from these areas, the likelihood of unsafe conditions arising from accidental contact with the conductors is significantly reduced.

The other options, while also potentially creating risks, do not pose the same level of ongoing risk of mechanical damage as openings designed specifically for material movement. For instance, windows, doors, and ventilation openings are generally not associated with the movement of heavy materials and may not generate the same immediate hazards that necessitate such strict separations. Therefore, avoiding installation under openings for material movement is a key safety precaution.