Article 230.2 Issue

[CXB Electric]

Hello All,

I have a friend who has a friend who owns a retail business that just recently combined two store fronts by creating some openings (doorways) between the two places. Each side, as would be expected, is seperately fed and metered. The inspector failed the combined store saying that only one service and meter is allowed for the overall store. I've read through Article 230.2 and see how the inspector is probably right but has anyone encountered a similar situation and gotten special permission to get around this? Seems to me as long as the signage requirements of 230.2(E) are met there shouldn't be a problem. Meanwhile this guy is shutdown as he is trying to avoid the expense of rewiring the place.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Bruno (First time poster but long time listener!)

 

[GoldDigger]

Hello All,

I have a friend who has a friend who owns a retail business that just recently combined two store fronts by creating some openings (doorways) between the two places. Each side, as would be expected, is seperately fed and metered. The inspector failed the combined store saying that only one service and meter is allowed for the overall store. I've read through Article 230.2 and see how the inspector is probably right but has anyone encountered a similar situation and gotten special permission to get around this? Seems to me as long as the signage requirements of 230.2(E) are met there shouldn't be a problem. Meanwhile this guy is shutdown as he is trying to avoid the expense of rewiring the place.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Bruno (First time poster but long time listener!)

Can he operate in the interim with the doorways closed off and the two areas operating independently or with only one of them open? That way he could at least have some business continuity while the situation is being sorted out.

The solution does not necessarily require a lot (or any) rewiring inside the store. If one of the services is large enough to power both sides, the main panel in one space can simply be converted to a sub-panel with a feeder from the other space's service.

 

[topgone]

Hello All,

I have a friend who has a friend who owns a retail business that just recently combined two store fronts by creating some openings (doorways) between the two places. Each side, as would be expected, is seperately fed and metered. The inspector failed the combined store saying that only one service and meter is allowed for the overall store. I've read through Article 230.2 and see how the inspector is probably right but has anyone encountered a similar situation and gotten special permission to get around this? Seems to me as long as the signage requirements of 230.2(E) are met there shouldn't be a problem. Meanwhile this guy is shutdown as he is trying to avoid the expense of rewiring the place.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Bruno (First time poster but long time listener!)

IMO, you can ask your friend to opt for a "single service drop" and just branch the wires into the two distribution cabinets feeding each stall. At least you can be compliant doing that.

 

[Ponchik]

The building has ONE service drop two separate meters, or TWO separate service drops with two separate meters in two different locations?

 

[Ponchik]

As gold digger suggested you can turn one of the service enclosures in to a sub panel.

 

[iwire]

The building has ONE service drop two separate meters, or TWO separate service drops with two separate meters in two different locations?

That is the key.

The number of meters has nothing to do with the number of services to the NEC.

I bet it is one service with two meters, if so the inspector is wrong.

I have converted 3 spaces to one large Tommy Hilfiger store so they now have three meters for the one store.

 

[CXB Electric]

First of All. Thank you for your responses.

I haven't put my eyes on the property but I believe it is one service drop with a main disconnect that then feeds several unit panels w/main breakers which are individually metered. This guy has two of the units in this multi-unit building. I will find out more.

Thanks again,
Bruno