Service disconnect location

[jpd24]

Main breaker mounted at pole outside of house. The best location for the panel, also with main breaker, is centrally located in the house, about 25ft inside. Does the main at the pole cover the requirements for disconnect means be located at point of entrance or will another switch have to be installed when I enter the house. It will be 4 wire, and a added expensed.

Appreciate any feedback.

 

[ryan_618]

Re: Service disconnect location

The article you dicuss for "point of entrance" is for service entrance conductors. You have a feeder circuit, see article 100:definitions.

 

[jpd24]

Re: Service disconnect location

My understanding is that from the MCB at the pole it does become a feeder. Which tells me that I should be able to enter the house and go right to my panel without another switch.
Is this correct?

 

[ryan_618]

Re: Service disconnect location

In my opinion, yes you are correct.

 

[jpd24]

Re: Service disconnect location

Is there any inspectors out there that also agree and how do I convince the town inspector?

 

[charlie]

Re: Service disconnect location

It depends on how far the first structure is from the second structure. I know that a lot of inspectors require 225.31 to be followed if the first structure (pole) is very far from the second structure (house).

Further, I believe a proposal was made and turned down by CMP 4 concerning a specified distance from a structure.

 

[jpd24]

Re: Service disconnect location

The POCO set 3 poles from the road, the meter and MCB obviously are on the last pole which is approximately 70 ft. to the point of entrance at the house.

 

[mitchell]

Re: Service disconnect location

The main breaker @ the pole covers the requirements of a disconnect @ service entrance. But a 4 wire sub feed is required. Initially the panel inside the house is a sub panel.

 

[rickg]

Re: Service disconnect location

I do not have the book here. As I recall, every structure requires a disconnect & even if it is a feeder the disconnect needs to be at the point nearest the point of entry. I am puzzeled as to why the feeder disco needs to be at point of entry. This disconnect can be outside "near" the structure. You define "near".
Is this a new dwelling?
Can you bring the underground conduit in under the slab or under the cellar floor? If it is run under the concrete it is considered outside the building. You turn up at the middle of the house & put your disco at that location.
Rick

 

[charlie]

Re: Service disconnect location

This may interest you, it is from the 2002 NEC Handbook that is published by the NFPA.

"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."

 

[jpd24]

Re: Service disconnect location

I think 4 wire is automatic because it is no longer a service.Thanks mitchell.
I cannot come up under the floor because the floor is already poured.This house is built on bedrock.Thanks rickg.
I saw that article in the code and I talked to the inspector and his length is 6 ft. Thanks charlie. My understanding is since the conductors are protected that it would not be a violation but he is the AHJ.I also put in another call to him to meet me at the house.The reason I did not want to put the panel at the outside wall of the house is mainly because there is only 6 ft of head room on that entire side of the house(bedrock).I suppose I could put the panel feed at the bottom.
Does anybody know of any rules on distance from the floor?
Appreciate your feedback.

 

[hbiss]

Re: Service disconnect location

You need a disconnect within or directly outside the structure. See 225.32. Even though the panel is a sub panel you would use a main breaker panel which is the cheapest way to accomplish this.

 

[hbiss]

Re: Service disconnect location

To address the headroom, 6 foot should be OK even with a 42 circuit panel. Lots of basements are normally that anyway. As long as there is access.

 

[pierre]

Re: Service disconnect location

The conductors that are entering the house in question are feeders. 225.32 Requires the disconnect to be at a readily accessible location nearest the point of entrance of the conductors. Your service disconnect is 70 feet away and I believe this could become a safety issue.
This is one of those situations where I would ask the AHJ to qualify the answer and then the responsibility is out of your hands. If you have already priced or completed the work, it could be a costly mistake.

Pierre

 

[donnie]

Re: Service disconnect location

I agree with Pierre,

The key to the answer is ,
The Disconnecting means shall be at a readily accessible location ( nearest the point of entrance of the conductors.) 225.32


Donnie