Service conductor size

[nizak]

Question regarding a residential service.

Meter base is on a pedestal. It's a 100 amp socket with a 6 space 3R breaker panel adjacent to the meter. The panel has a 2 pole 100 breaker which will serve as the disconnecting means and over current protection for the underground feeders running to a dwelling.

- Can the conductors from the meter base to the first disconnect be figured at the 83% value since non dwelling related loads could also be supplied from the remaining 4 spaces that are open?

I realize we are only talking about a wire size change from #3 to # 4 cu, but it's more of what is the code compliant way of doing it.

Thanks

 

[roger]

Meter base is on a pedestal. It's a 100 amp socket with a 6 space 3R breaker panel adjacent to the meter. The panel has a 2 pole 100 breaker which will serve as the disconnecting means and over current protection for the underground feeders running to a dwelling.

- Can the conductors from the meter base to the first disconnect be figured at the 83% value since non dwelling related loads could also be supplied from the remaining 4 spaces that are open?

What could be is not what is. A code violation can be done after any installation is done and the EC is long gone.

If you install a 60 A fused disconnect with 40 amp fuses for a piece of equipment that calls for a 40 amps and someone comes along later and installs 60 amp fuses, it's not your problem nor the original inspectors.

Roger