Do you need a main breaker at a Sub panel on an apt.

[carlos.inestroza]

I have reviewed 230.72 (c) and 240.24 (B) (1) & (2) but it seems to be a gray area when it talks about being "under continuous building management supervision". How would you know that? Most electrical rooms are locked, and, in some places, management does not work weekends.


Do you need a main breaker at a Sub panel on an apt. building?

 

[rc/retired]

Do you need a main breaker at a Sub panel on an apt. buildings?

Per the NEC, no.

Ron

 

[carlos.inestroza]

That's what I thought but I wanted to double check. I guess it is good to have a main breaker for tenant's convenience, but it can definitely become more expensive.

 

[brycenesbitt]

I have reviewed 230.72 (c) and 240.24 (B) (1) & (2) but it seems to be a gray area when it talks about being "under continuous building management supervision". How would you know that? Most electrical rooms are locked, and, in some places, management does not work weekends.
Do you need a main breaker at a Sub panel on an apt. building?

You could submit a clarifying Public Input to the next code cycle, the deadline is soon.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

I have reviewed 230.72 (c) and 240.24 (B) (1) & (2) but it seems to be a gray area when it talks about being "under continuous building management supervision". How would you know that? Most electrical rooms are locked, and, in some places, management does not work weekends.


Do you need a main breaker at a Sub panel on an apt. building?

This not a clear rule, but to me the "continuous building management" requires management onsite 24/7.

 

[carlos.inestroza]

This not a clear rule, but to me the "continuous building management" requires management onsite 24/7.

That is part of my point. How do you prove that to an inspector?

 

[wwhitney]

This not a clear rule, but to me the "continuous building management" requires management onsite 24/7.

PI 756-NFPA 70-2023 for the 2026 NEC wanted to add "(24 hours on-site including public holidays)" after the word "continuous" in 240.24(B)(1) and (2). The PI was rejected by the CMP with the statement "This requirement would be unenforceable within NFPA 70."

My conclusion is that the CMP does not consider that the current language requires 24/7 onsite supervision.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[tortuga]

Yeah, its up to the AHJ to decide, if its condos or apartments or air-bnb its all subjective.
They way 240.24(B)(1) reads
"Where electric service and electrical maintenance are provided by the building management" you can also read into that "electric service provided by the building management" That could mean a guest-suite long term stay type occupancy or air-bnb where the tenant does not establish utilities in their name and there is a 27/7 front desk number you can call.
I suppose you could have meter pack and the landlord pays all the bills or sub meters.
Where I have an issue is say you have a 1000 acre camp property, and there are dozens of dwelling units on the property (Per NEC definition) and some staff live there yeat round with their families in the dwelling units (cabins). Now there is a one electric service (a 12500:600V substation) and electrical maintenance are provided by the management and where these are under continuous management supervision on site, there is somone you can call 24/7 whom lives there, but since each cabin is a single family dwelling not a Multiple-occupancy building and not a guest rooms or guest suite, then the occupants are required to have access to the service main breaker which is in a 600V substation.