Electrical Geek
Lead PV Service Electrician
- Location
- Massachusetts
- Occupation
- Electrician
Is there a requirement in either the electrical or building code that states we have to install a common panel for a two or three family building?
Common Panel Requirement
- Thread starter Electrical Geek
- Start date
- Status
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- Semi-retired engineer
generally you have a house panel for things that are shared and the electricity from the house panel is paid for by the landlord. I don't think this is a NEC requirement though.
- Location
- Connecticut
- Occupation
- Engineer
See 210.25. Also see the Massachusetts amendment to that section.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
I don't either, local rules are when this typically is an issue.
Two family often there isn't any "house loads" to deal with. Over two family that possibility does often increase though.
- Location
- Connecticut
- Occupation
- Engineer
See 210.25
Electrical Geek
Lead PV Service Electrician
- Location
- Massachusetts
- Occupation
- Electrician
210.25 Excellent! Thank you.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
Doesn't automatically mean you need a separate panel for "house" loads, only if there are "house" loads must they comply with that section.
Like I said often a two family dwelling doesn't have such loads, go to more dwellings and that chance of having such loads does increase.
- Location
- Connecticut
- Occupation
- Engineer
So what you're saying is that there is an NEC requirement for "house" loads to be supplied from equipment other than the equipment which supplies an individual dwelling unit or tenant space.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Unless management pays for power, the concern is that a tenant could leave or lose power and the common areas would become deenergized.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
What if owner stops paying utility bill or at least misses paying bill for whatever reason and the "house" gets disconnected?
IMO this really should be design decision and not code. Probably still good design in most cases to have a separate house panel though.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
Yes, but OP didn't give enough details so the answer to his original question is "maybe".
Knuckle Dragger
Master Electrician Electrical Contractor 01752
- Location
- Marlborough, Massachusetts USA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
It really depends on the "lay out" of the multifamily dwelling.
Most three family units that I have worked in do require a house meter.
You should check with the local building department.
As Kwired mentioned: Two family often there isn't any "house loads" to deal with. Over two family that possibility does often increase though.
- Location
- Connecticut
- Occupation
- Engineer
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Then the tenants have to complain to their housing authority.What if owner stops paying utility bill or at least misses paying bill for whatever reason and the "house" gets disconnected?
- Status