Question on 230.72

SparkyAdam

SparkyAdam

Member
Location
Oregon
Occupation
Electrician/Small Business Owner
Specifically as it relates to the grouping of disconnects on a duplex, when was this code adopted? I am looking at a weird duplex service that I have not seen before, and we are replacing it. The disconnects are not currently grouped. It is currently two split bus panels in each respective side of the duplex with meters on the other side. To kill power to the building you would have to have separate access to each side of the duplex, and not to mention each split bus panel had 6 disconnects.
 
Yes, there is only one service lateral. It goes to a secondary box behind the duplex on only one side. The respective backyards are separated by a fence.
 
If the issue is old panels and not the 'service' there are some code exceptions in Oregon (if your not aware) you could just replace the split buss panels without upgrading the 'service' . Using the exception the panels can remain in their current location. From the Oregon Electrical Specialty Code (OESC):
230.70(A)(1)Readily Accessible Location. ...
Exception: In existing installations where the service panel or meter base is being replaced, the panel and service
disconnecting means may remain at the existing location if the following conditions exist:
(1) The existing service conductors are of sufficient ampacity to supply the load or the existing conduit is large enough
to accommodate new conductors that are of sufficient size to supply the load.
(2) All requirements of 110.26 and 240.24 are met except as follows:
a. If the installation was made prior to July 1, 1978, the work space requirement in 110.26 for
installations of 0-volts to 150-volts to ground is reduced to 762 mm (30 in.).
b. If the installation was made prior to July 1, 1993, the provisions of 240.24(E) do not apply.
c. If the installation was made prior to July 1, 1996, the provisions of 240.24(F) do not apply.
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Two things to consider using this exception you need to check the size of the service entrance conductors, I have run into odd sizes of existing like 3/0 AL and requires a 175A main breaker.
Also do check with the local POCO that they will allow the meterbase to remain, as one thing I have run into is after they unseal the meter they refuse to reinstall until the meter base and or mast/riser meets their current specs, (or the lineman says the meter jaw is failing) in which case I loose the Oregon exception
 
If your changing the service you would have outside disconnects now so that would solve the issue. I can't see how the existing could ever be legal with one service drop you have unprotected conductors running across the basement.

To make that legal you would have to run a service lateral around the outside of the building or underground or through the building encased in concrete.
 
Eddie702 said:
can't see how the existing could ever be legal with one service drop you have unprotected conductors running across the basement.
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If it was a legal install at the time he can use the OESC exception and just replace the panels. The OP is here in Oregon where builders have a legendary fear of basements, so I bet its a crawlspace or slab on grade. Either way if it was legal it can stay.
I have actually seen some old duplexes that somehow a clever landlord tapped off a existing 2nd meter. I think some old really old houses here had a 2nd meter that was for a nighttime water heater rate I am not sure what they were for. On more than one occasion have seen landlords use them to feed small apartments without permits and inspections and then have to go thru a whole rigamarole with firewalls and permits to get them legit.
 
SparkyAdam said:
Specifically as it relates to the grouping of disconnects on a duplex, when was this code adopted? I am looking at a weird duplex service that I have not seen before, and we are replacing it. The disconnects are not currently grouped. It is currently two split bus panels in each respective side of the duplex with meters on the other side. To kill power to the building you would have to have separate access to each side of the duplex, and not to mention each split bus panel had 6 disconnects.
Click to expand...

Sounds fine under 230.40 exception #1 to me. The grouping only applies to disconnects within each occupancy.
 
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