Jim.B
Member
- Location
- Connecticut
- Occupation
- Electrician
If upgrading a service from 60 to 100 amp or 100 amp to 200 amp do I need a meter main or is that only for new construction
Meter main
- Thread starter Jim.B
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
You don't need a meter main. You can use a meter with a separate service panel which is what I have done for years
Jim.B
Member
- Location
- Connecticut
- Occupation
- Electrician
So the meter main is basically only for new construction or if the panel is further than 10 ft from entry
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
No the meter main is an alternative service setup, there is no new construction vs old construction. Many people like it because they just mount it to the wall and all the wiring is done.
Are you talking about a disconnect ahead of the meter????
Jim.B
Member
- Location
- Connecticut
- Occupation
- Electrician
No I'm talking about doing a service change and if I need to upgrade to a meter main or not per 2020 NEC I hear all kinds of chatter out there and I'm not sure what's required. The code states you can do a meter main or if the panel is right at the service entrance cable entry and accessible You're good as always
Jim.B
Member
- Location
- Connecticut
- Occupation
- Electrician
My issue is I don't know when the meter main is required on a service change or if at all
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
A meter main is not a requirement if you install an external disconnect. I am not sure what you need to know. When you do a service upgrade you can remove the meter and install a meter main panel, or you can install a new meter, if needed, and install a service disconnect right next to the meter. The 2020 nec requires a disconnect outside the building.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Is the issue a 3 wire cable feeding an interior panel that you don't want to change?
Jim.B
Member
- Location
- Connecticut
- Occupation
- Electrician
The issue is if I do a service change do I need to upgrade to a disconnect outside of the house for emergency responders being a meter main or a separate disconnect?
Jim.B
Member
- Location
- Connecticut
- Occupation
- Electrician
I'm in Connecticut and I'm hearing mixed responses from people I have talked to. It seems like it's dependent on the AHJ I started my business 3 months ago. I came from mostly commercial HVAC controls. The one thing that has me stumped is this damn disconnect on the outside of the house if I need it or not on a service change
Jim.B
Member
- Location
- Connecticut
- Occupation
- Electrician
Forget it. I'll just call the building inspector much easier!!
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
The NEC is silent on this so it's up to the adopted code in your locale.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Yes you need one by the NEC but Connecticut may have an amendment. I did state a few times that a disconnect is required.
Jim.B
Member
- Location
- Connecticut
- Occupation
- Electrician
No you didn't. You talked in circles to impress yourself The last guy that chimed in was spot on!!!!! This is the first and last forum I will ever join. What a joke
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
You kept asking about a specific piece of equipment that is never required by the code.
That's should have been your first inquiry. Every state has different amendments and your town inspector will answer your question regarding
what he will be looking for upon your permit.
Please don't bash any member of this forum.
Fred B
Senior Member
- Location
- Upstate, NY
- Occupation
- Electrician
Jim.B, No circles. 2020 Code requires an exterior disconnect. That can be accomplished by various means. A meter/main is just one way to get the job done. AHJ in the locality and any amendments by the municipality/state adopting the codes would dictate specifically what is required and when, and where you are might dictate something other than strict 2020 NEC.
This is the limit of the 2020 NFPA 70 code statement:
230.85 Emergency Disconnects.
For one- and two-family dwelling units, all service conductors shall terminate in disconnecting means having a short-circuit current rating equal to or greater than the available fault current, installed in a readily accessible outdoor location. If more than one disconnect is provided, they shall be grouped. Each disconnect shall be one of the following:
(1)Service disconnects marked as follows:
EMERGENCY DISCONNECT,
SERVICE DISCONNECT
(2)Meter disconnects installed per 230.82(3) and marked as follows:
EMERGENCY DISCONNECT,
METER DISCONNECT,
NOT SERVICE EQUIPMENT
(3)Other listed disconnect switches or circuit breakers on the supply side of each service disconnect that are suitable for use as service equipment and marked as follows:
EMERGENCY DISCONNECT,
NOT SERVICE EQUIPMENT
Markings shall comply with 110.21(B).
This code section had been extensively debated topic, since it's implementation, as to impact to new and existing service replacement of equipment. And the resulting various municipalities having added their own modifications to the adoption of this section, some exempting replacement of existing service others mandating even if it just a repair that it be upgraded to this new code section.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
The 2020 does not address this question, so the only correct answer will come from your AHJ.
They added language in the 2023 to address this.
They added language in the 2023 to address this.
Note that service equipment is a defined term in Article 100.
No Loss on our part
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Really, wow.... I don't have any need to impress myself and I know my faults. I was trying to figure out what exactly were you asking. I am sorry I wasted your time trying to help - oh yeah and also trying to impress myself....
- Status