Duplex Townhouse Electrical Service

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artec

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We have a duplex townhouse with 2-200A meters on the side of one townhouse. We can extend the service cables to the panel in the basement of the first townhouse. How do we extend the service cables to the second townhouse? Conduit under the slab?
 
Re: Duplex Townhouse Electrical Service

1)Use a Combo Meter-breaker outside and a MLO or MCB panel inside run through the building in the public (common space if there is some.

2)Use meter only and go under the slab us you said.

3)Use meter only and wrap around the outside of the house underground

4)Use meter only and wrap around the outside of the house above ground on the side of the building. (Ugly but allowed)
 
Re: Duplex Townhouse Electrical Service

for option #1, if there is no common space, is it ok to run feeder thru one townhouse to get to the other?
 
Re: Duplex Townhouse Electrical Service

for option #1, if there is no common space, is it ok to run feeder thru one townhouse to get to the other?
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Running a feeder circuit through the other unit would be allowed by code, but it may not be allowed by state law. It is an ownership issue. There are different ownership issues with all types of multi-family. Sometimes people own everything in their dwelling, iincluding what is inside of the walls. Other times, people own the paint on their walls, but not the goodies inside of the walls. Some time people own the attic space, but sometimes not.

In my city, we have a pretty involved pre-construction meeting before the begining of a multifamily project. Issues such as this are brought up and discussed.

I guess teh bottom line would be to ask the building official (not neccassarily the electrical AHJ) before doing the installation.
 
Re: Duplex Townhouse Electrical Service

Going under the slab is fast becoming a no can do.
Owners are worried that if the cable went bad they will have the floors in there unit being cut.
Would check with the GC and AHJ and get it in writing if possible.
 
Re: Duplex Townhouse Electrical Service

Be sure you are not in violation of 230.3:

One Building or Other Structure Not to Be Supplied Through Another. Service conductors supplying a building or other structure shall not pass through the interior of another building or other structure. :D
 
Re: Duplex Townhouse Electrical Service

wouldn't the service entrance conductors be those conductors to the meter & c/b outside and anything after that would be considered feeders?
 
Re: Duplex Townhouse Electrical Service

Yes as far as I know.

That was my thought when I gave suggestion 1

Suggestions 2,3,4 are service conductors, but each are considered outside the building by NEC.

But if these are condos I agree with Jim W. that before cutting under someones unit with another units feed you may want to talk to the AHJ. :)
 
Re: Duplex Townhouse Electrical Service

They are doing something new here with town houses.They have 2 hour fire wall all the way thru roof and then call them 2 buildings.That way service can be split up.I don't like it but it legal.
 
Re: Duplex Townhouse Electrical Service

Pierre, I agree.

Roger
 
Re: Duplex Townhouse Electrical Service

Pierre ,im not saying the fire wall is bad idea.I just think having 2 services seperated is not a great idea.If there was a fire they now have 2 services to locate.And there idea of 2 hours is 1/2 inch dry wall on both side of an unpoured block wall.The block wall went thru and pass the roof by about 3 feet.I am not so sure that will save the other unit
 
Re: Duplex Townhouse Electrical Service

Ryan, a good hot fire burns thru drywall in less than 1/2 hour and start to crack soon after.The biggest worry here was they had flat tar roofs.If the fire started on second floor in ceiling it could cross over fast.Only thing good here was the fire department was only a few blocks away.
I have seen many block walls destroyed by house fires.They don't burn but sure do crack
 
Re: Duplex Townhouse Electrical Service

Jim
Your new name is "GLOOM AND DOOM" !!


Lets just say there are 25 million dwellings in this country, by your descriptions it would seem that at least 20 million have burned down. Do you see or have any positive statements about the construction industry? At least Florida must be in very bad shape.

Pierre
 
Re: Duplex Townhouse Electrical Service

I worry about each one i wire.So far i have a no burn record as far as i know.From the fire jobs i been on i try to learn something.And if possible prevent making same mistakes.Most were not over legally wired houses.Many from handyman repairs and additions.About half from lightning.The good part is no one died in any of them.
And yes i do see a lot of positive changes

[ February 16, 2004, 11:02 PM: Message edited by: jimwalker ]
 
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