Main Dissconect requirements?

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ram11379

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I have a 100 amp service I just installed in an old home using SE cable. The main panel is not more then 5' into the home from the meter but I used 10'5" of wire to get there(running through wall). The inspector is saying I am in need of a dissconect outside because of this.

I thought the need of a dissconect outside was not meausred by wire used but total distance. Can anyone enlighten me on this before I meet with the inspector today? Thanks in advance.
 
The NEC does not give a distance limit. Sometimes a local code does, so you will have to check your local codes. But the intent of keeping the distance short is that it reduces the probability of the (unprotected) service conductors becoming damaged. So if your local codes limit the distance to 5 feet, then I would suggest looking at the wording of that local code, to see if it sets the limit on the length of the conductors or the straight line distance to the first OCPD.
 
Good luck with the meeting.

This is a gray area of the Code, as there is no actual measurement given or description of where the measurement is taken.

In addition to the NEC and the local inspector, the PoCo may have instructions to be complied with.

There are geographic differences in how this is enforced and the way the distance is actually measured. So I can only tell you about the area I work in.

In my area, we are allowed to measure along the conductor from lug to lug, and we are limited to five foot max., but there is some room for negotiation, not much, but some.
 
charlie b said:
The NEC does not give a distance limit. Sometimes a local code does, so you will have to check your local codes. But the intent of keeping the distance short is that it reduces the probability of the (unprotected) service conductors becoming damaged. So if your local codes limit the distance to 5 feet, then I would suggest looking at the wording of that local code, to see if it sets the limit on the length of the conductors or the straight line distance to the first OCPD.
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Do you happen to know the code that states any limits. I am working off the 2005 NEC now so I am curious if I am missing something in update and what code he is going to quote when I meet him?
 
As I said, the NEC does not give the limits. You won't find it in the 2005 or the 2008 or any other. I can give you a code citation for the State of Washington, but that won't help you. Ask the inspector for a citation of the code (city code, or state code, but not the NEC) that he is using to fail your installation.
 
ram11379 said:
I have a 100 amp service I just installed in an old home using SE cable. The main panel is not more then 5' into the home from the meter but I used 10'5" of wire to get there(running through wall). The inspector is saying I am in need of a dissconect outside because of this.

I thought the need of a dissconect outside was not meausred by wire used but total distance. Can anyone enlighten me on this before I meet with the inspector today? Thanks in advance.
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This might be his issue. Running Service Entrance Conductors through the walls using SE is not a favorite of inspectors.

P.S.
I am guessing you may not have come through the wall in a perpendicular manor.
 
Thanks everyone for your assistance, to anyone who is curious here is what he quoted(wisconsin code):
Comm 16.230(3)
(3) LOCATION. This is a department rule in addition to the requirements of NEC 230.70 (A): Raceways containing service conductors or cables, or service entrance cable not contained within a raceway, may not extend longer than 8 feet into a building to the service disconnect or the first service disconnect of a group of disconnects as permitted by NEC 230.71. The raceways or conductors shall be considered to have entered the building at the point where they pass through the outer surface of the building exterior, except as permitted by NEC 230.6.

So I am going to see if I can make a more direct path to panel and get it under 8'. Thanks again.
 
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