Disconnect at meter - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

katmgj · 03-19-2009, 08:44 PM

I am doing an restoration which requires me to relocate the meter and service riser. The meter is going to be on one side of the house and main panel on the other side. Do I need an disconnect at my meter. Code reference please

Thanks for any help

JohnJ0906 · 03-19-2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katmgj

I am doing an restoration which requires me to relocate the meter and service riser. The meter is going to be on one side of the house and main panel on the other side. Do I need an disconnect at my meter. Code reference please

Thanks for any help

That depends.
The disconnect is required to be readily accessible, either outside the building, or inside "nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors"

How did you plan on running the service conductors from the meter to the panel?
If you plan on going through the house, then, yes you will need a disconnect.

230.70

katmgj · 03-19-2009, 08:51 PM

I plan to run it through a crawl space.

JohnJ0906 · 03-19-2009, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katmgj

I plan to run it through a crawl space.

Disconnect is required, IMO. You will need to run 4 conductors to the panel - L1, L2, N, EGC

Remember to separate EGCs and neutrals at the panel, and relocate your GECs (grounding electrode conductors) to the service disconnect

JohnJ0906 · 03-19-2009, 08:58 PM

And welcome to the forum.

katmgj · 03-19-2009, 09:03 PM

I thought I dit but I was being told by another electrician I did not need it so I wanted to see for myself. Thanks for the help and the warm welcome to the board.

katmgj · 03-19-2009, 09:06 PM

I am reading 230.70 right now but I do not see where it says I would need a disconnect in this situation.

william1978 · 03-19-2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnJ0906

Disconnect is required. You will need to run 4 conductors to the panel - L1, L2, N, EGC

This is what you need to do. Sounds like your buddy don't know what he is talking about.

william1978 · 03-19-2009, 09:12 PM

Welcome to the forum.

katmgj · 03-19-2009, 09:18 PM

I also believe that I need the disconnect but I cannot find it in my NEC Book

The only thing close I see is 230.70(A)(1)

Readily Accessible Location. The service disconnecting means shall be installed at a readly accessible location either outside of a building or structure or inside nearest the point of enterance of the service conductors.

What do they mean inside nearest the point of enterence of the service conductors.

**Speedy Petey** · 03-19-2009, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katmgj

I am reading 230.70 right now but I do not see where it says I would need a disconnect in this situation.

Try:

230.70(A)(1) Readily Accessible Location. The service disconnecting means shall be installed at a readily accessible location either outside of a building or structure or inside nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors.

JohnJ0906 · 03-19-2009, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katmgj

I also believe that I need the disconnect but I cannot find it in my NEC Book

230.70(A)(1)

If the disconnect is inside, it must be "nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors".
Which means you would need to put it in the crawl space - which is a 110.26(E) violation I would think.

You are only allowed a short distance of service (unfused) conductors inside a building. You can check with your local jurisdiction as to the max distance they allow, but I highly doubt you can run unfused wire from one side of the house to the other inside.

katmgj · 03-19-2009, 09:28 PM

Ah ok I will do that I did not know that the distance would vary depending on A.H.J. I will call them tomorrow.

william1978 · 03-19-2009, 09:28 PM

Here your only allowed 6' of unfused conductors before you hit your main.

**Speedy Petey** · 03-19-2009, 09:32 PM

Six feet seems like a pretty universal number, but I have heard of 10'-15', and more on rare occasions.

kbsparky · 03-20-2009, 07:37 AM

I'd utilize a meter/disconnect combo on such a project. Here is a typical one from Square D Co:

lectricboy · 03-20-2009, 08:51 AM

Our AHJ only allows 2' to the main for residential. He is a little more forgiving when it is commercial or industrial.

Jim Port · 03-20-2009, 08:59 AM

Is that distance measured along the conductor length or from the wall to the enclosure?

Heard of one inspector that did not allow a bottom fed panel to have the main at the top as this was not "as short as practical". Thought that that was a little over the top, but can see that interpretation.

kbsparky · 03-20-2009, 09:44 AM

That must have been in Calvert County. The only place where I had to flip the guts, and use a bottom feed main breaker!

Of course, now the panels can be oriented either way. But 25 years ago, all the mains were located at the "top"

jfwfmt · 03-20-2009, 04:53 PM

The question about what is required at the service entrance may also be addressed by information from your local power company (POCO). Installation requirements are often supplied on the POCO website.

/s/ Jim WIliams