411 help!!

[mklectric]

we are wiring a building with 4 townhomes 2 stories each with fire walls. have 2 gang meterbase. 1 meter socket has disconnect feeding 1 home. service cable 40' to panel. other metersocket back-to back with panel. inspector wants outdoor disconnect for this panel also. all wiring fire caulked. is the inspector right for this multi family dwelling?
Also, can ser or seu be direct buried??

 

[roger]

Re: 411 help!!

The inspector is right if I understand your discription correctly. 230.72

Roger

 

[a.wayne3@verizon.net]

Re: 411 help!!

if you are going 40 ft to the panel for this unit he is right.

 

[a.wayne3@verizon.net]

Re: 411 help!!

SER burried no way....

 

[mklectric]

Re: 411 help!!

1 meter socket to panel is 40' away to panel. have disconnect for service panel. other meter socket on 2 gang base back to back with chase nipple to service with main breaker panel. 1 building 4 homes fire caulking

 

[roger]

Re: 411 help!!

Mklectric, read 230.72 you will see where the inspector is coming from.

Sorry, but prepare for some added work and expense to someone.

Roger

 

[stanley]

Re: 411 help!!

HAve to agree with Roger. Once you are required to install an outdoor disconnect all other disconnects must be grouped with it.

Sorry, I'm a contractor also and fell into this trap years ago and paid the price. Fix it and live and learn.

 

[pierre]

Re: 411 help!!

Because of the firewalls, each of the townhouses is a separate dwelling. Each dwelling can have up to six main disconnects (as per 230.71) that are required to be grouped as per 230.72. I see these as separate units with the two separate disconnects being placed in different locations, therefore not having to meet being grouped together in one location.

Pierre

 

[hurk27]

Re: 411 help!!

We been having this discussion at our IAEI meeting lately as this has come up in strip malls as well as town houses (condo's). What we determined is if this property is going to be sold as separate units then ether there has to be a utility agreement or easement placed in the deed to the property as if these feeders are across someone else's property they would have every right to cut them if there in their way. Now most of the towns are going to treat each unit as a separate piece of property so each unit will get it's own service from now on.

 

[benaround]

Re: 411 help!!

NOW THAT'S WHY KNOWING N.E.C. IS WORTH EVERY EFFORT YOU PUT INTO IT.

 

[jerryb]

Re: 411 help!!

Just because you have a firewall between two spaces does not mean you have two structures. Most building codes would require a minimum two hour fire separation before you can call it two structures.