Question regarding correct power connection to A/C conde

[curiousone]

A relative (across the state) recently had a new furnace and central air unit installed. The installer placed a second meter box in series with the house's main meter (to allow for future interruptible a/c service). From this new meter box the power cable runs inside the house, across the basement, then outside to a fused service disconnect. The fused disconnect is located right next to the condensor unit. The total length of cable from the new meter box to the fused disconnect panel is approx. 70 feet. At my request my father had the local building inspector look at the installation. The inspector said it looked OK. This installation looks strange to me. Does this meet code? Should there be overcurrent protection between the new meter and the 70 foot section of cable?

 

[david]

Re: Question regarding correct power connection to A/C conde

VI. Service Equipment ? Disconnecting Means
230.70 General.
Means shall be provided to disconnect all conductors in a building or other structure from the service-entrance conductors.
(A) Location. The service disconnecting means shall be installed in accordance with 230.70(A)(1), (2), and (3).

1) Readily Accessible Location. The service disconnecting means shall be installed at a readily accessible location either outside of a building or structure or inside nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors.

 

[hurk27]

Re: Question regarding correct power connection to A/C conde

I would say Yes as it would be classified as inside the house. but I would call the poco as the hookup of the second meter sounds strange. and if the inspector said that this is legal then see if the state has some kind of state inspector to back this up as I know there has to be protection for these entrance wires as if they ever short out there will be a fire.

Here are some codes they apply:

230.70 General.
Means shall be provided to disconnect all conductors in a building or other structure from the service-entrance conductors.
(A) Location. The service disconnecting means shall be installed in accordance with 230.70(A)(1), (2), and (3).
(1) Readily Accessible Location. The service disconnecting means shall be installed at a readily accessible location either outside of a building or structure or inside nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors.
VII. Service Equipment ? Over-current Protection
230.90 Where Required.
(A) Ungrounded Conductor. Such protection shall be provided by an over-current device in series with each ungrounded service conductor that has a rating or setting not higher than the allowable ampacity of the conductor. A set of fuses shall be considered all the fuses required to protect all the ungrounded conductors of a circuit. Single-pole circuit breakers, grouped in accordance with 230.71(B), shall be considered as one protective device.

230.91 Location.
The service over-current device shall be an integral part of the service disconnecting means or shall be located immediately adjacent thereto.

I don't think that it follows the NEC I would contact the state building commission and get a opinion to what it should be. as this does sound like a fire waiting to happen

 

[iceman2610]

Re: Question regarding correct power connection to A/C conde

This scares me!!!!

I would have it looked at by another inspector. I agree that inspectors can't catch everything and sometimes parts of the code can be interpreded diffrently, but I don't see this installation as meeting the NEC as I read it.

 

[iwire]

Re: Question regarding correct power connection to A/C conde

Has the area your relative lives adopted the NEC?

Had they kept this cable outside the house instead of cutting through it, they would be all set.

 

[sparky46514]

Re: Question regarding correct power connection to A/C conde

I'm still not clear on WHY the second meter was installed in series or at all.A QUALIFIED electrician should install a disconnect switch in its place.

 

[curiousone]

Re: Question regarding correct power connection to A/C conde

Thanks to all that responded to my question. I forwarded your responses to the HVAC installer and the installation was corrected. The second meter box has been removed. The outdoor condenser unit is now powered from the house's breaker panel via a circuit breaker.

 

[william runkle]

Re: Question regarding correct power connection to A/C conde

First of all you said this secondary meter is for interuptible service which means a lower rate with interruptions at certain times as per the tariff of load management. It is used quite a bit for electric heat especially if they have a back-up heat source e.g. wood burner propane gas log or electrical thermal storage. Well my question is where exactly is the secondary tied to the primary meter in series? If ahead of the main it will require double lugs, so two wires will not be under the same lug. So could it be that the secondary meter is fed off another breaker?