Allowed cable from meter to building ?

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justdavemamm

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Location
Rochester NY
I was dropping someone off at a house (a side by side duplex) the other day and saw what looks to be a bogus tap at the meter base. The photo shows the two meters, I presume the left side one feeding the disconnect is for the unit that is farthest from the meters and the service cable goes into the basement for a ways before entering the unit and it's panel.

So what do you all make of the right side meter and it's two cables ? I can't think of any legitimate reason for the smaller (white) cable.
 

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I'm going to guess that the one on the left goes through the disconnect to get to the far side apartment, the one on the right goes to a main breaker panel just on the other side of the wall, and the rigid is the underground service coming in from the utility.

Edited: Oh wait, I didn't even notice the other conductor, but I'll guess that's the GEC.
 
The installation is not compliant as the disconnects are not grouped either. Not sure what the white wire does-- perhaps feds an a/c unit or something-- definitely not compliant.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
The installation is not compliant as the disconnects are not grouped either. Not sure what the white wire does-- perhaps feds an a/c unit or something-- definitely not compliant.
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Grouping of the disconnects may or may not be required depending upon the building, (230.40 Exception 1) see this thread:
http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php/135016-Grouping-of-disconnects-in-230

But the main bonding jumper must be at this disconnect, and also there should be a grounding electrode conductor to this disconnect or the meter, no telling what that smaller wire/cable is.

If in fact these service entrance conductors run more then the AHJ allowed distance across a basement, that is another violation?
 
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I think everyone is missing the point....assuming the white cable is not the GEC, what is it?

I know what it isn't....isn't in conduit and is proably #14 NM.
 
lakee911 said:
I think everyone is missing the point....assuming the white cable is not the GEC, what is it?

I know what it isn't....isn't in conduit and is proably #14 NM.
Click to expand...

Granted no it's not in conduit. Might have been up to code at time of original install.

But I would agree that any alteration to the service, I would install suspect wires in conduit.
 
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