230.71

[don_resqcapt19]

Peter,

It seems that for anything but the smallest apartment, this wouldn't be applicable to much.

I've seen it used on 20 + unit buildings. As long as you can install the service disconnects in the units, no outside disconnect is requied.
Don

 

[A/A Fuel GTX]

I don't see a reason why you can not have 8 meters connected to one service lateral. We do it all the time in commercial applications. Until the conductors leave the meter, they are service conductors.

I agree though, that most utilities require meter packs with a main ahead.

Brad........When you install 8 meters connected to one lateral are you running your service conductors through the interior of the building to main breaker panels? Wisconsin has an amendment to 230.70 (A) stating that service conductors can not extend more than 8' into a building without a disconnect. In this case, I'd have to run the service entrance conductors from the meter pack directly into the basement and up to each unit from there. So my plan was to put the mains outside with the meters which would then give me feeders running through the basement terminating to MLO panels in each of the 8 condo's. One of the replys to this thread stated that I'd need main breaker panels in each unit but with the mains outside I feel the MLO panels would suffice. However, it's looking more like I'm going to have to set a main disconnect switch ahead of the meter pack to comply with the six disconnect rule. But even in that case, I'd still need mains at the meters to protect the feeders going to each unit as I see it.

 

[George Stolz]

I think another way of saying that would be, a Main Breaker Panelboard would be the disconnecting means (one handle). You could have a 42-space panelboard underneath that.

I would think it would be very tricky to pull off, staying outside the structure until entering the panelboard. Here, the "nearest the point of entrance" is considered approximately zero inches.

 

[peter d]

Peter,
I've seen it used on 20 + unit buildings. As long as you can install the service disconnects in the units, no outside disconnect is requied.
Don

Right....I didn't mean to imply is wasn't applicable to multi unit buildings. I only meant that each unit was limited to 6 throws of the hand. If we meet that requirement, no disconnect is needed.

This gets confusing.

 

[Gmack]

Tom

Tom

I thinking that your original plan works best here. Two separate meter banks grouped with Mains outside for each unit.

This would be fully compliant with 230.2 [1].

You would be covered "if" an issue comes up later. And you wouldn't waste money for a "building" exterior service disconnect.

Tenants would have access to their unit disconnect [as long as no one locks out that access] and you could use MLO panels in each unit as you stated.

Do need another meter for the house panel for laundry and mechanical rooms? House lighting and power. etc.

 

[A/A Fuel GTX]

I took a look around today at some multi family dwellings in the area and the NEWER ones I saw that had more than 6 positions had a service disconnect ahead of the meter packs. Now, if the POCO will run two laterals based on 230.2 (A) I guess I'm home free with two 4 position meter packs without having to install a 1200A main. Sorry for all the what ifs and whys here but I've never installed a service this large before and I want to do it as economically as posible without breaching the NEC. Thanks for all the replys....you guys are a plethera of knowledge. And yes, one meter will serve a "house" panel.

 

[peteo]

m73214,
Sorry for barging in here late. This has been a very informative discussion to me, and I'm not sure that anything I'm about to say has a bearing on the matter. Your most recent option looks as if solves the problem, namely, using smaller, packaged (less expensive) panels. You don't necessarily need two feeders, just bounce an elevation off on your utility spotter and (if you have one) an inspector to verify that it will pass plan check.

230.40 Exception 2 allows one set of service laterals in this situation. Unsure, but my reading of 'permitted' being the 'minimum allowed' makes Exceptions 1 and 4 require that only one service lateral be used. So there's a very good question to put to the utility, which implicitly states that you'll be using the separate enclosures for the disconnects.