Load centers in multi family building

[Greenlight1]

Hi guys!! New to sight so bear with me. We are bidding a old building that they are turning into 9 separate units. Currently the 2 floors are powered by 4 separate 200amp 40 space panels, 2 on each floor. The owner of building has asked if we need a separate panel for each unit. He is paying for electric so from that standpoint I know we DO NOT need individual panels and meters. My question is, as long as tenants have access to the panels, can I use the existing panels to power all the units? Every circuit will go to a dedicated apartment, I will not split circuits. But is that an “acceptable” practice in an existing building that is being remodeled?

 

[MyCleveland]

Hi guys!! New to sight so bear with me. We are bidding a old building that they are turning into 9 separate units. Currently the 2 floors are powered by 4 separate 200amp 40 space panels, 2 on each floor. The owner of building has asked if we need a separate panel for each unit. He is paying for electric so from that standpoint I know we DO NOT need individual panels and meters. My question is, as long as tenants have access to the panels, can I use the existing panels to power all the units? Every circuit will go to a dedicated apartment, I will not split circuits. But is that an “acceptable” practice in an existing building that is being remodeled?

Never had an apartment project where the owner wanted to cover utility charges.
Could you not bring a feeder to each unit with a new load center ?
Would this not be less expensive than all of single cct homeruns, possibly up sized for VD ?
You have to buy ALL new CBers anyway...No ? AFCI/GFCI.

 

[gadfly56]

Never had an apartment project where the owner wanted to cover utility charges.
Could you not bring a feeder to each unit with a new load center ?
Would this not be less expensive than all of single cct homeruns, possibly up sized for VD ?
You have to buy ALL new CBers anyway...No ? AFCI/GFCI.

Depends on the jurisdiction.

 

[norcal]

Energy codes may not allow master metering, if the tenants are not paying for their consumption they will not conserve. This is something to consider early in the process.

 

[Greenlight1]

Our inspectors only require AFCI breakers for bed rooms and smoke detector circuits (I know, stupid). But it’s cuts down on our costs. I was thinking of running a feeder to each apartment and having a MLO in every apartment. There is NO WAY our power company will add more meters to building unless owner pays for the material which isn’t going to happen. I’m figuring a 70amp 8 space Load center in each unit.

 

[tw1156]

Our inspectors only require AFCI breakers for bed rooms and smoke detector circuits (I know, stupid). But it’s cuts down on our costs. I was thinking of running a feeder to each apartment and having a MLO in every apartment. There is NO WAY our power company will add more meters to building unless owner pays for the material which isn’t going to happen. I’m figuring a 70amp 8 space Load center in each unit.

The power company won't have to add individual meters, but you are required by code to meter them (EMON/DMON for example). Scranton, PA is under the 2009 IECC.

IECC 2009: C505.7 Electrical Energy Consumption (Prescriptive). In buildings having individual dwelling units, provisions shall be made to determine the electrical energy consumed by each tenant by separately metering individual dwelling units.

It's clearly stated metering is required.

 

[MyCleveland]

Our inspectors only require AFCI breakers for bed rooms and smoke detector circuits (I know, stupid). But it’s cuts down on our costs. I was thinking of running a feeder to each apartment and having a MLO in every apartment. There is NO WAY our power company will add more meters to building unless owner pays for the material which isn’t going to happen. I’m figuring a 70amp 8 space Load center in each unit.

Ok, now that the metering is in let's see where the 70A comes from.
Time for another Friday night load-calc.
Break down your loads for one apartment. Building voltage system = ?

Your apt load centers will originate from the 4-200A panels, 2 per 3 panels and the 4th will have 3 apartments ?