Residential MLO Panel ???

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mjc

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Just a clarification before the installation.
Wiring a 2500sqft residential ranch , lighting and recpt panel is in the center of the building or approx. 30ft away from the poco service drop/meter. Installation would be to provide a W/P fused disconnect outdoors next to the poco meter , feed into the building with SER wire, and supply a "Main Lug Only" panel for distrabution of the residential branch circuits as required. With this type of Install the actual service point is at the Fused W/P disconnect outdoors. According to 408.16 A ex.1 , it looks that my install will pass the NEC. Dont want to go thru the install just to find out from the local AHJ that I missed a something. What do you think?

Thanks in Advance, Mike
 
I think this is fine. You will need to make the N-G bond and the connection to the ground rod at the outdoor disconnect, of course.

That said, if it were to be my house, I don't think I would want my main panel to be MLO. There is no reason you can't do what you describe, and also use a service panel with a main breaker. Call it a "comfort level thing," for it is certainly not a code issue. But that is what I would prefer.
 
Charley , Thanks for such a quick reply - Yes the N-G Bond will happen. Just wasnt sure about the MLO panel in a resi bldg. I will try and talk the owner into a Main breaker panel aty an additional cost. (ps watch for a PM)
 
Just about every house in Hawaii is done like that, except instead of a fused disco, we install a meter/breaker combo can. Nothing wrong with it. Sometimes when things are done different than the way you usually see it we all tend at times to think it might be inferior. When I first came to Hawaii 30 years ago from Florida, I thought it was goofy also at first. Now I think nothing of it.
 
Given the way materials are volume priced, my guess is that a residential panel with a main breaker will cost less than a similar panel MLO.

Do you see a significant price difference, especially considering panels 'kitted' with branch breakers?

(Note: this is not my area of professional experience, so I could be totally out to lunch here.)

-Jon
 
Given the way materials are volume priced, my guess is that a residential panel with a main breaker will cost less than a similar panel MLO.
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I can't speak to your area, but here I pay $35 less for an MLO homeline. To purchase the QO2200MH (200A MB) alone is $60.

MJC, is you install MLO and they require breaker, you can probably replace the lugs w/ the breaker. At least that is true on squareD stuff; you'll have to check your own.
 
charlie b said:
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That said, if it were to be my house, I don't think I would want my main panel to be MLO. There is no reason you can't do what you describe, and also use a service panel with a main breaker. Call it a "comfort level thing," for it is certainly not a code issue. But that is what I would prefer.
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Charlie, I agree 100% with you. I never installed a MLO panel in a house, and I always tried to have a meterbase disco outside even if it was a back to back service. I know and have inspected several MLO's that it is okay to do this but as a convenience to the homeowner or whoever buys the house most everyone knows where their panel is and in the event of an emergency could get to it relatively quickly. With the addition of a outside disconnect, it makes it easier for FD to shut off power, especially if no one is home.IMHO.
 
macmikeman said:
we install a meter/breaker combo
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That's what we tend to use here. I haven't seen a fused disconnect on residential in some time. You see those more for commercial.

I also normally put a main breaker panel in the house. I don't know if this impresses anyone but that's where people go to cut the power first off.

I have found that most homeowners don't even know that there is an outside disconnect on their homes.
 
growler said:
I also normally put a main breaker panel in the house. I don't know if this impresses anyone but that's where people go to cut the power first off.
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A good practice.
Outside is for the FD Inside is for the HO

Too bad most jobs don't have the extra in them for it (all that money going to afci's I suppose ;) )
 
growler said:
That's what we tend to use here. I haven't seen a fused disconnect on residential in some time. You see those more for commercial.

I also normally put a main breaker panel in the house. I don't know if this impresses anyone but that's where people go to cut the power first off.

I have found that most homeowners don't even know that there is an outside disconnect on their homes.
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Using a combo is predominantly the same in CA. Having a main diso at the central panelboard gives a safety warm feeling also. Just have a flashlight handy when you pull the handle. rbj
 
BryanMD said:
Too bad most jobs don't have the extra in them for it (all that money going to afci's I suppose ;) )
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I have had a couple of GC's and even a couple of inspectors tell me they thought it was a waste of money. ( some people like code minimum)

I do admit it's overkill but practical. I can put a main breaker panel for the price of one of those AFCI's. Cost about $30 more.

If I were in a high volume business I wouldn't have this option I would have to be like other cheap contractors and cut every penny. The way it is I can normally sell it as a cheap option.
 
growler said:
I do admit it's overkill but practical. I can put a main breaker panel for the price of one of those AFCI's. Cost about $30 more.
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My point is that I don't see it as overkill at all.
EVERY service entrance should have a disconnect on the exterior.

The fire department reason is obvious... but there are others too.

Think of all the panel changes we've done...
How much simpler it would be to not have to coordinate with the poco.

(I'll think of a few more later)
 
BryanMD said:
Too bad most jobs don't have the extra in them for it (all that money going to afci's I suppose ;) )
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Actually the extra money goes to the fancy kitchen since it is visible and electrical is seldom noticed. (Or so it seems these days)

c2500
 
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