Common House Panel Question???

Status
Not open for further replies.
H

horrorsix

Member
Location
Harrisburg PA
I'm installing a 6 space 100A common panel at a house that was converted into two apartments. I've done a couple of these in my area but my question is.
In this particular property the furnace, washer and dryer and basement lights are the only thinks going on this new common panel. Everything is located in the basement.

Do I need a 100amp main breaker in this panel box or can I just run the service wire to lugs then to the individual breaker from there?

Everytime I've done this in the past I installed a 100amp Main breaker. My inspector said something about that as long as I install a 6 space panel that I do not need a 100Amp main breaker.

Is this true?

Thanks
Shawn
 
if you are under the '08 Code you can use the six breakers as "mains"
(under earlier Codes,, No)
 
horrorsix said:
Really? Do you happen to know where that's at in the 2008 NEC?
I would have expected the opposite.
Click to expand...

408.36 exception allows it when used as service equipment, But with the washer, dryer, lights,and furnace and apartment 1 and 2, They would all have to be grouped and further use of the common panel would be limited.
Rick
 
augie47 said:
if you are under the '08 Code you can use the six breakers as "mains"
(under earlier Codes,, No)
Click to expand...
You really have to check the listing of the panel. The code requires this house panel to be suitable for use as service equipment. The listing of many panels requires the use of a single main breaker to be suitable for use as service equipment.
 
Look in 230.71 and 230.79. Also check 408.36 Ex.#1 I have the same situation but its a small barn, with its own service.
 
Article 100 Definitions in the Workbook has a good explaintion of service equipment. In it, it mentions the no more than six circuit breakers as the disconnecting means.
 
horrorsix said:
I'm installing a 6 space 100A common panel at a house that was converted into two apartments. I've done a couple of these in my area but my question is.
In this particular property the furnace, washer and dryer and basement lights are the only thinks going on this new common panel. Everything is located in the basement.

Do I need a 100amp main breaker in this panel box or can I just run the service wire to lugs then to the individual breaker from there?

Everytime I've done this in the past I installed a 100amp Main breaker. My inspector said something about that as long as I install a 6 space panel that I do not need a 100Amp main breaker.

Is this true?

Thanks
Shawn
Click to expand...
Is the house served by a single meter?

How many Panels are in the house?

Disconnects or diconnecting means must be grouped and you are only allowed 6 actions to disconnect "all" power to the dwelling.

If this is one of several panels then it would need a disconnecting means nearest the point of entry of the service conductors
 
Rewire said:
Is the house served by a single meter?

How many Panels are in the house?

Disconnects or diconnecting means must be grouped and you are only allowed 6 actions to disconnect "all" power to the dwelling.

If this is one of several panels then it would need a disconnecting means nearest the point of entry of the service conductors
Click to expand...


The house has two meters right now. One for each apartment.

The house also has two 100Amp panels. One for each apartment.

All the common circuits which are not the responsibility of either tenant are being fed off of the tenants panels. PP&L (Pennsylvania Power and Light) does not allow this.

They require a new 100A service with it's own meter be installed so the property owner can pay that bill. The washer and dryer, furnace, and basement lights are the only things that will be on this circuit. The washer and dryer, furnace and of course the basement lights are all in the basement and with in line-of-site of the panel box (if that matters).

It seemed a little over kill to me to have a 100Amp main breaker for only 4 circuits.
 
I would check with local authority on this and read this.

210.25 Branch Circuits in Buildings with More Than One Occupancy.
(A) Dwelling Unit Branch Circuits. Branch circuits in each dwelling unit shall supply only loads within that dwelling unit or loads associated only with that dwelling unit.
(B) Common Area Branch Circuits. Branch circuits required for the purpose of lighting, central alarm, signal, communications, or other needs for public or common areas of a two-family dwelling, a multifamily dwelling, or a multi-occupancy building shall not be supplied from equipment that supplies an individual dwelling unit or tenant space.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
I would check with local authority on this and read this.

210.25 Branch Circuits in Buildings with More Than One Occupancy.
(A) Dwelling Unit Branch Circuits. Branch circuits in each dwelling unit shall supply only loads within that dwelling unit or loads associated only with that dwelling unit.
(B) Common Area Branch Circuits. Branch circuits required for the purpose of lighting, central alarm, signal, communications, or other needs for public or common areas of a two-family dwelling, a multifamily dwelling, or a multi-occupancy building shall not be supplied from equipment that supplies an individual dwelling unit or tenant space.
Click to expand...

Thank You. I'll check that out.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top