I was wondering how apartment building get away with not grouping all the meters in one location. Most of the time there are six on one side and six on the other. There are plaques on the meter packs that say there are additional meters and where they are. Would this ever be allowed on a single family residence? For example to have a 320 meter base feeding a 200 amp disconnect in the garage and then a 200 amp disconnect outside next to the meter?
Grouping of disconnects
- Thread starter crtemp
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electricalist
Senior Member
- Location
- dallas tx
Because all of the Meters fed by those service conductors are all grouped.
The other six on the other side of the bldg are fed from another set of service conductors.
That's my guess.
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The other six on the other side of the bldg are fed from another set of service conductors.
That's my guess.
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Not two meters but two 200 amp disconnects. One in the garage for the house and one outside to feed a outbuilding. I know I don't need the disconnect outside but the homeowner wants one.
Your question is confusing. First, you ask how it's possible that meters are grouped separately. Then you change the subject to disconnects. The meter banks are likely grouped separately because they are fed from different transformers. As far as disconnects are concerned, they are installed ahead of the panel or equipment they are intended to protect. So in your situation, I would install a main disconnect immediately behind the meter, and then feed a subpanel at the garage with its own disconnect. Load calcs would be necessary to determine the size of each disconnect, and I guarantee you that it's not 320 amps. Hire a licensed electrician.
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Sorry for the confusion. The meter packs have breakers on them all the time I thought.
320 amps in my situation is plenty.
Yes I know that. Just forget it.
electricalist
Senior Member
- Location
- dallas tx
That's the first I've seen members talking to each other like this is one of them other web sites.
Take it easy
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Take it easy
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- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
There is an exception in the code that allows more than one service at different parts of a multi tennant building. It's why you an have a similar set up at a shopping mall.
- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
And an experienced forum member would know that is not how we address fellow eletricians who come here to learn.
jumper
Senior Member
- Location
- 3 Hr 2 Min from Winged Horses
:thumbsup:
I figured it had something to do with that. I can remember doing at least 9 disconnects per side when we used to wire apartments that had 18 units per building. Sometimes 10 on one side when one did the fire sprinkler room. But I see that one is exempt in the rule though.
The six disconnect rule extends to each service entrance conductor set permitted by 230.40 Exceptions Nos. 1, 3, 4 or 5.
There's several duplex apartment buildings in the area I live.These are upper scale single level large units with garages .The power supply and meter bases are on the same end of the buildings.The electrician is installing two separate meter bases.One is a simple feed through meter base, with the main circuit breaker box directly behind it, with the main inside.The other unit has a main /meter combo to supply a main lug load center inside the unit. We typically use a 2gang meter combo with one incoming power supply with both mains on the exterior.
electrofelon
Senior Member
- Location
- Cherry Valley NY, Seattle, WA
Right. Perhaps it is more accurate to say that the "6 switch rule", is more like a "6 switches grouped in one location" rule. Then of course there are different interpretations as to what constitutes "grouping."
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