Multi-Units

[volt102]

Please help me settle this argument that I have been having with my co-worker.

Could I wire a four unit residential apartment building in the following manner:

Install one meter.
Off meter install two 40 circuit panels.
Use one of the panels as the house loads. Well, Boiler, Parking lot lights, etc.
Use the other panel as loads to serve the units.
Wire all the loads associated with dwelling unit 1 to the 10 breakers in top left in the panel. Wire all the loads associated with dwelling unit 2 to the 10 breakers in the bottom left of the panel.... You get the point.....???

Would this be code compliant? Thanks for any point of views offered.

Jim
New Hampshire

 

[George Stolz]

The watt-hour-meter is irrelevant to the code.

So long as the circuits supplying each dwelling unit are solely serving that dwelling unit, and the house loads are from a seperate panel, you are in tune with 210.25.

So long as all occupants have access to their OCPDs, then you're cool by 240.24.

So who's buying lunch?

 

[celtic]

I say it depends on what code you reference.

Local building codes may require seperate metering for each unit.

 

[charlie b]

When I first read the question, something in my mind screamed ?Evil, Evil!? I just knew this wasn?t allowed. But I must now (reluctantly ) agree with George. In addition to the two articles he cited, let me add the following comments.:

First, the code does require each occupant to have access to their own OCPDs. But it does not prohibit any occupant from also having access to everyone else?s OCPDs.

Secondly, the building still has only one service, so you are OK with section 230.

Third, none of the branch circuits are feeding ?outside buildings,? so you are OK with 225.

Conclusion: Place the two panels in a publicly accessible hallway, and you will be compliant with the NEC. You might not have happy residents, especially if one resident gets their kicks out of turning off circuit breakers, but who cares about that?

 

[jtester]

Most building codes require individual metering for each resident. I suspect you have a violation of that as was pointed out by celtic. You should check.

Jim T

 

[George Stolz]

But I must now (reluctantly ) agree with George.

You're no fun.

You might not have happy residents, especially if one resident gets their kicks out of turning off circuit breakers, but who cares about that?

Hopefully, the designer.