3 family service

[pmoney44]

Doing my first 3 family rehab....to try to save Romex...is there anything wrong with installing meterbank then 4 100 amp disconnects then ser to each panel and locating them on each floor instead of all circuits running from 3 floor to basement...etc..so only panel in basement is landlord.... job in Massachusetts...thnx in advance

 

[jaylectricity]

You are best off putting in a 4 gang meterbank with overcurrent devices on the outside of the building, then running SER to each apartment to a panel.

Something like this:

There are breakers behind the covers on each side of the meters.

That SER to the left is for the apartment above the one shown. Not my best work, due to lack of planning by the builder, but I was paid time and material so, meh.

You could also have the meter bank outside, then the main overcurrent devices just inside the basement as close to the meters as you can.

 

[infinity]

IMO it's a much better design to have the panel in each apartment and make your branch circuits much shorter.

 

[pmoney44]

bypass switch

bypass switch

Now is there just one bypass switch for landlord or all 4 have them

You are best off putting in a 4 gang meterbank with overcurrent devices on the outside of the building, then running SER to each apartment to a panel.

Something like this:

There are breakers behind the covers on each side of the meters.

That SER to the left is for the apartment above the one shown. Not my best work, due to lack of planning by the builder, but I was paid time and material so, meh.

You could also have the meter bank outside, then the main overcurrent devices just inside the basement as close to the meters as you can.

 

[jaylectricity]

Now is there just one bypass switch for landlord or all 4 have them

Just one bypass for the common. I didn't put that particular meter socket in, I just had that picture handy.

 

[mark32]

Dumb question, what's the purpose of having a bypass for the landlord?

 

[Hendrix]

Dumb question, what's the purpose of having a bypass for the landlord?

I think he may have meant "house panel"

 

[jaylectricity]

Dumb question, what's the purpose of having a bypass for the landlord?

I think he may have meant "house panel"

To clarify, it's a way to allow all common area lighting and other loads stay energized in a situation where the POCO needs to take out the meter for whatever reason.