Multi-Family Residential NEC Question

[Marek2943]

Is there any electrical event that could cause three circuit breakers (two 15A 1P and one 20A 1P) to trip by overloading just one of those breakers? My mother came home one day to find one small appliance circuit, and two other 15A circuits tripped. Her neighbor told her that a maintenance guy was utilizing the outside receptacle in the exterior stairwell area most of the day to clean the public space. My mother verified that the exterior receptacle was on one of the three tripped circuits. I'm trying to figure out if she has a code-based defense that the outside receptacle should NOT be connected to her panel, since she pays her own electricity (and is on a very tight senior budget). Any thoughts?

 

[tom baker]

typically for multi family there is a house panel off separate meter for common area lights and maybe receptacles. having an outside receptacle for each grade level unit is required by code.
check to see if there is house panel and what it powers. And turn off power to her outside receptacles.

 

[letgomywago]

Also how new is the apartment complex. Afci will sometimes trip from utility arcing or lighting. As to the outside outlet by a back portch being separate from the tenant panel I've never seen a code that would prevent it NEC or otherwise. The "House Panel" is for the community power needs and any clubhouse loads and such. The back outside outlet may be able to be locked with a padlock if she's worried about it depending on the outdoor cover is has.

 

[hbiss]

My mother verified that the exterior receptacle was on one of the three tripped circuits.

Now turn everything off in her panel and see if the exterior receptacle is still powered. Willing to bet that it's not on her panel but it's still possible that if the affected breakers were AFCI's they could trip from something not even in that panel.

If this is a onetime event, I wouldn't worry about it, but if it continues then it should be investigated.

-Hal