Connections ahead of the main

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qcroanoke

qcroanoke

Sometimes I don't know if I'm the boxer or the bag
Location
Roanoke, VA.
Occupation
Sorta retired........
Have a situation where a customer wants to monitor his utility power by connecting
"by C-tap" a #12 thhn to each phase then going to a 10 amp fuse and then to a 240 volt relay that will monitor utility power.
My question is: Is this set-up legal?
I'm getting the argument that since it is fused it's ok.
I think that there are very few things allowed to be connected ahead of the main and this
set-up is not one of them.
What do you guys think?
 
You can always tap on another small service disconnecting means, assuming you do not have six throws of the hand already.

All you would need is a small service rated fused disconnect located at the existing service disconnecting means.
 
iwire said:
IMO what the OP described is not a load management device, load management device controls things.:smile:
Click to expand...

No, it's not a load managment device at all. It will only be used as a dry contact to alert someone that utility power is not available at the site.
 
qcroanoke said:
No, it's not a load managment device at all. It will only be used as a dry contact to alert someone that utility power is not available at the site.
Click to expand...
Why not connect on the load side of the main? If the main is open, there is no power.

OR
Assumptions:
Site is unmanned
Power is being drawing all the time.
For some reason you have to be on the line side of the main

Use a CT on one/three of the service conductors and current switches - contacts in series for monitoring all three phases.

cf
 
why would he want to put it on the utility side? I'd be inclined to put it on the load side and add a contact to the main breaker so you can tell if the main has tripped.
 
Reading between the lines, I am guessing that the customer in the original post has a manual transfer switch in a residence. It sound like they are looking for a cheap way of determining if utility power is available, and are trying to get qcroanoke to hack something together.

I think that iwire has an approach that fits the bill. Do exactly what the customer wants, but rather than 'installing it ahead of the main', make it a service rated disconnect that is part of the 'main'. Might have some problems with the service conductor sizing if they use 310.15(B)(6). :)

-Jon
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
see 230.82
Click to expand...

230.82 Equipment Connected to the Supply Side of Service
Disconnect. Only the following equipment shall be
permitted to be connected to the supply side of the service
disconnecting means:
...
(4) Instrument transformers (current and voltage), impedance
shunts, load management devices, and arresters
Click to expand...
Run the relay off an instrument transformer?
 
Cold Fusion said:
Why not connect on the load side of the main? If the main is open, there is no power.

OR
Assumptions:
Site is unmanned
Power is being drawing all the time.
For some reason you have to be on the line side of the main

Use a CT on one/three of the service conductors and current switches - contacts in series for monitoring all three phases.

cf
Click to expand...


Assumptions:
Yes, it is un-manned.
yes, there is always power being used.
yes, for some reason they are demanding we connect on the line side.
We've tried explaining that this is against code and will only tell them utility is off. If a main fuse blows they will not know it.

The strange part of this is if you could read their surge protection spec. you'd fall out of your chair! 3 layers of protection! Primary,secondary and tieatary. sp?
 
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