Multi dwelling building corrections after inspection and your option

[Alexis]

Hello,

We just had an inspection in one of the cities around Los Angeles. They have all their own local codes and rules. Some of them could be reasonable and some are just funny. I'd apreciate any feedback!

The property is a 10 unit plus HSE (11 meters total). We upgraded the main panel to 400A (with main disconnect) the sub panel breakers are all 30A with 10awg feeders to each unit. Inspector demanded to have minimum 6awg and 60A per unit.
What is your opinion? If I'm reading the 230.79 and 230.80 right the 400A main disconnect is falling under this requirement and gives us permission to keep 30A down the stream for each unit. That's how at least we've been doing this for many other inspections.

The other correction was that if we are replacing the panels we have to replace the feeder to each unit and we can't keep using existing flex as a ground, like it was done in each sub panel before.

He told us also to remove gas pipe bonding that we installed between each gas meter..

Some ridiculous corrections that he added for local utility rules:
1. No main ground wire allowed in the main service disconnect to bond to the neutral. Has to be installed in one of the meter stacks.
2. No parallel service feeders (we have two sets of 3/0)
3. No LB on the service mast (we have added rings for utility to seal). When I asked how do you even do that 90 on the wall without a LB, he said "be creative".

I'd apreciate any feedback from you guys! Thanks!!

 

[Alexis]

Oh, and one more, he mentioned that for 6 or more breakers in any sub panel we now have to have a main breaker.. I was confident that 6 handle rule is not about sub panels, or am I wrong?

 

[Fred B]

What was the article 220 load calculations? Most old installations were far undersized for modern living. Without a calculation how did you come up with a 400a

Even if allowing for 230.79, 230.79(B) would be in violation based on picture with 7 circuits. But, service ends at the service disconnect so 230 would not be in play, now pushing you back to 215, which also has requirement that it be sized to the loads. Load calculation based on 220. Service Upgrades generally would require a recalculation of loads to new codes in determining the service size.

Most jurisdictions do require minimum of 60A provided for each dwelling unit, and that would likely be found in the building code for your state or municipality. Allowances for diversity on a multifamily dwelling service would allow for a smaller Service than the total amperage calculation of each unit combined by applying a demand factor found in 220.84(A) as long as all conditions mentioned apply, but each unit feeder is dictated by that article 220 calculations.

Oh, and one more, he mentioned that for 6 or more breakers in any sub panel we now have to have a main breaker.. I was confident that 6 handle rule is not about sub panels, or am I wrong?

Don't think he is referring to the six handle rule, but that a subpanel not within sight of the disconnect have its own disconnect within sight either adjacent to or within the panel.