I think basically I am trying to figure out if we can get a consensus or a reason for not requesting the following: If a disconnect is requested by local authorities on the outside of a building or at a meter ( the fire fighters disconnect) then this can be a non fused disconnect. This would not replace the main fused disconnect at the main panel, and can thus be fed from the meter to its position, and from it to the main panel and/or main OCPD under the regular single residence rules of feeding the main panel.
If a fused disconnect is used, this must become the main OCPD and the feeder rules then are in place from this position to the main panel and an OCPD may not be required at the main panel.
Of course, idiots like myself probably will put an OCPD at this position and at the main panel as well, just because it does protect the wire, and in Jamaica wire is very expensive, but...
Main reason I am looking at this is the island is looking at adopting the NEC as the majority of its code regulations. There will be a few modifications due to the closeness to UK and Canada, but hopefully pulling the better and not the worst parts of them in regards to the styles of building construction and weather problems on the island. Not trying to make anyone angry, just trying to understand more of the safety concerns of such systems, as the main difference comes down to the requirement that one, the meter be located on a pole constructed at the property line so the meter reader does not need to enter the property, two, that there be a panel on each floor in an accessible location that is not in a closet or behind a closed door, with OCPD on each panel, and the first panel from the meter being wired as the main panel, with the neutral and grounds separated after that panel in all other panels, but they must be fed from this panel, and now with the possible requirement to include an outside disconnect, that is grouped with disconnects for any solar, wind or other generation means, is able to be disconnected by fire fighters in case of emergency, but is lockable so as to keep vandalism at a minimum. The exact codes are not yet actually written to give us the basics but are only the suggested after the fire departments requested such switches after having some problems with certain house fires.
But, I am not sure how good such switches would be in a country that the average time of response for the fire department is two to three hours... yes, hours...
Already stated in the possible amendments to the NEC if adopted are the color codes of wires, the number of outlets per circuit in a kitchen, which they will not raise from three..lol... even with many of us asking for five... and the requirement that each floor have its own panel box, including any basement if accessible and having any outlets. Oh, and no panel box may be on an outside wall if the wall is concrete construction... laughed when I saw that one...
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