Service Disconnect Location

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rcmihalich

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Article 230.70,A,(1) states that the disconnect needs to be at a readily accessible location either in or outside of the building. This is vague and up to the local AHJ interpretation. I am looking for arguments for the disconnect being located either outside at the meter socket or in the panel inside of the building. I don't think that there is a wrong answer here and am just looking for the logic of the disconnect being at either location.
 
Re: Service Disconnect Location

Well this is one of those really gray areas.Adjacent to,or at he first point of entry underslabbed it can be far away from the meter,or back to backed,or split....... :eek:
 
Re: Service Disconnect Location

I think of it in terms of the amount of danger presented by the service feeders, think of them as being unfused! The shortest route to that main OCPD is the safest, because everything beyond that is fused.
RAW
 
Re: Service Disconnect Location

After you see what happen's to the service entrance cable when it short's out you will be a beliver too. Remember the fuse on the primary side of the pole transformer only protect's the pimary wires not the secondary wires. And these fuses are sized to try to keep the power up and running. so the availible fault current on these service entrance cables can be as high as 10,000 amps +. I have seen where it even blew the concrete apart where it was installed just 2" below the floor. anyone ever laid a cutting torch down on concrete before? It will explode back at you. When I herd that California allows the SEU to be run inside of the outside wall of a building I about fell off my computer chair! What were they thinking?
 
Re: Service Disconnect Location

Wayne, the only reference I see in the 2001 Ca. Electrical Code for SE being used inside, is when it's used for a branch circuit or as feeders and all conductors must be insulated(338-3(a)). When used as service entrance cable, installation shall be as required by Article 230. The 2001 Ca.Electrical Code is based on the '99 NEC and there are no California amendments to Article 230 or 338.

As to the disconnect, some cities want an exterior disconnect in case of fire.
 
Re: Service Disconnect Location

Wayne I agree that the potential is there,but SER is a cable raceway.Whats the difference of it running down a wall or through trusses ???Personally I like an underslab !! If there is ever a problem then its an easy fix ,usually :eek: As long as it is concealed,1 1/4" protection and secured as required,then it is a code compliant installation.
 
Re: Service Disconnect Location

Sorry I did`n read all of the original post.There has to be a disc.at either the outside adjacent to the meter or back to backed then SER is fine but SER unfused?????????
 
Re: Service Disconnect Location

In the area I live 5' to 6' feet of SE cable in the house is standard.

It is up to the AHJ as to what nearest the point of entrance means.

Here is some info from the handbook about this.
No maximum distance is specified from the point of entrance of service conductors to a readily accessible location for the installation of a service disconnecting means. The authority enforcing this Code has the responsibility for, and is charged with, making the decision as to how far inside the building the service-entrance conductors are allowed to travel to the main disconnecting means. The length of service-entrance conductors should be kept to a minimum inside buildings, because power utilities provide limited overcurrent protection and, in the event of a fault, the service conductors could ignite nearby combustible materials.
Some local jurisdictions have ordinances that allow service-entrance conductors to run within the building up to a specified length to terminate at the disconnecting means. The authority having jurisdiction may permit service conductors to bypass fuel storage tanks or gas meters and the like, permitting the service disconnecting means to be located in a readily accessible location. However, if the authority judges the distance as being excessive, the disconnecting means may be required to be located on the outside of the building or near the building at a readily accessible location that is not necessarily nearest the point of entrance of the conductors. See also 230.6 and Exhibit 230.15 for conductors considered to be outside a building.
See 404.8(A) for mounting-height restrictions for switches and for circuit breakers used as switches.
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