Chapter 2 question

[Jacob Iannello]

I have recently passed my journeyman electrical exam in Jacksonville Florida thanks to your Mike Holt's guide to DVD's. I have really learned a lot and recommend these DVD's to anyone who is trying to pass their journeyman or master electrical exam.
I have a question that I hope you can help me out with. It’s in chapter 2, section 230.71, maximum number of disconnects. I have reviewed your general requirements DVD and I’m still uncertain about this rule. I understand that there shall be not more than six sets of disconnects per service grouped in any one location, but if there is one service drop from utility and its taped to more than six meters and each meter has a disconnect all grouped together is this allowed. I have noticed that on apartment complexes the service is tapped to many meters and each meter has a disconnect. Is this allowed?

 

[dezwitinc]

Congrats.
Now it's time to start preparing for your EC.

 

[infinity]

I have noticed that on apartment complexes the service is tapped to many meters and each meter has a disconnect. Is this allowed.

Congratulations on passing the exam!

Is it possible that these meter banks have a main service disconnect? If so the 6 disconnect rule doesn't apply.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Jacob,

I have noticed that on apartment complexes the service is tapped to many meters and each meter has a disconnect. Is this allowed.

For buildings with multiple occupancies, each set of service entrance conductotors is permiited to have up to 6 means of disconnet.

230.71 Maximum Number of Disconnects
(A) General The service disconnecting means for each service permitted by 230.2, or for each set of service-entrance conductors permitted by 230.40, Exception Nos. 1, 3, 4, or 5, shall consist of not more than six switches or sets of circuit breakers, or a combination of not more than six switches and sets of circuit breakers, mounted in a single enclosure, in a group of separate enclosures, or in or on a switchboard. There shall be not more than six sets of disconnects per service grouped in any one location. For the purpose of this section, disconnecting means used solely for power monitoring equipment, transient voltage surge suppressors, or the control circuit of the ground-fault protection system or power-operable service disconnecting means, installed as part of the listed equipment, shall not be considered a service disconnecting means.

When applying this rule the total number of service disconnects is unlimited.
Don

 

[Jacob Iannello]

Congratulations on passing the exam!

Is it possible that these meter banks have a main service disconnect? If so the 6 disconnect rule doesn't apply.

Thanks for the quick response. If the service doesn't have a main disconnect, and is tapped to more then 6 meters, with a disconnect installed after each meter is this allowed?