Available fault current

[finhead]

If the utility company increases the size of its transformer serving a facility, and the available fault current of the larger transformer exceeds the maximum interrupting rating of the main circuit breaker,does the AHJ have a duty to force the building owner to correct the deficiency?

 

[ron]

Re: Available fault current

Unless new work is done on the distribution, generally the AHJ doesn't have any responsibility for the AIC ratings at the main.

 

[sandsnow]

Re: Available fault current

What are the conditions of the changeout?
Is there new load being added? Is there permitted work going on? Did the customer request the upgrade? How would the AHJ come by this information?

I don't know if I would use the term "duty" since we're not sworn like police, but it's our job.

We would probably process it as a code enforcement issue. In our city "code enforcement" means going after illegal garage conversions, illegal signs, drainage complaints, essentially anything that happens after the inspection team has signed off the building.

I can't think of anything that would cause us to ignore it.

This happened once here that I know of and that was 18+ years ago in a newly developing part of town. When the utility was still having more than one commercial building on a xfmr. The issue was addressed.
I'm sure our felow utility members would have some input here.

 

[sandsnow]

Re: Available fault current

Originally posted by ron:
Unless new work is done on the distribution, generally the AHJ doesn't have any responsibility for the AIC ratings at the main.

Ron,
I don't follow you here. The AHJ has jurisdiction on everything on the load side of the service point.

 

[ron]

Re: Available fault current

Larry,
My point is that many AHJ's have such a busy day, that they are not actively looking at buildings that they don't have current permitted work in at that time. So they are not responsible for stuff they don't know about from some formal process, like a new permit for work.

[ March 30, 2005, 12:05 PM: Message edited by: ron ]

 

[physis]

Re: Available fault current

sworn like police

That's a wierd thought.

 

[sandsnow]

Re: Available fault current

Originally posted by ron:
Larry,
My point is that many AHJ's have such a busy day, that they are not actively looking at buildings that they don't have current permitted work in at that time. So they are not responsible for stuff they don't know about from some formal process, like a new permit for work.

Yes, true enough.

 

[sandsnow]

Re: Available fault current

Originally posted by physis:

sworn like police

That's a wierd thought.

I'm sure you've met some inspectors who act like cops.

 

[physis]

Re: Available fault current

Fortunately, not in my neck of the woods, but just up north a tad.