I will be installing an electrical service to 2 separate structures, a house and a shop. The utility company has set a 320A meter pedestal approx. 175' away from each of the structures. They utility company is requesting I put a main disconnect next to the meter. My question to the group is, will I need to install a grounding bonding jumper at this main disconnect 175' away from each of the structures? Or can I just install bonding jumper at the main disconnects I will be installing on each of the structures?
Service Entrance Conductors Disconnecting means?
- Thread starter JMEG
- Start date
When I install it it will be on load side of meter base, I haven't decided if it needs to be fusible or not? I am wanting to run a 3 wire service URD to another disconnect that will be on the structure. From what I read in code you want your bonding jumper at entrance of structure. Im just trying to keep it with in code but I'm not finding info on this situation.
It is unusual that POCO wants a disconnect on the load side.
In any event you would bond the neutral to that disconnect.
If you decide to make it fusible, IMO, it would become your service disconnect requiring your to run an EGC to your downstream panels and bond them via the EGC..
Of it's non-fusible (watch your AIC limit of 10k) then it is simply a disconenct and yourn downstraem panels would be service panels bonded to the neutral w./o a EGC feeding them.
In any event you would bond the neutral to that disconnect.
If you decide to make it fusible, IMO, it would become your service disconnect requiring your to run an EGC to your downstream panels and bond them via the EGC..
Of it's non-fusible (watch your AIC limit of 10k) then it is simply a disconenct and yourn downstraem panels would be service panels bonded to the neutral w./o a EGC feeding them.
- Location
- Tennessee NEC:2017
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrician
Couldn't you use the rule where you put up signage stating it was the emergency disconnect, not service disconnect, then just run a 3-wire SE conductors to the buildings?
electrofelon
Senior Member
- Location
- Cherry Valley NY, Seattle, WA
- Occupation
- Electrician
I would get clarification if this is something they merely "want" or " prefer". Is it in their spec book as a requirement for service connection? Adding disconnects adds cost and then you have to run four wire to each building, versus using 230.40 exception number 3 to feed each with service conductors - although as little bill says I think the emergency disconnect route could be a loophole (if Poco is requiring a disconnect but not a service disconnect).
Might work but the distance is greater than allowed for the required "emergency disconnect"
wwhitney
Senior Member
- Location
- Berkeley, CA
- Occupation
- Retired
Seems to me that if the POCO requires a disconnect next to the meter, then that can arguably be considered a 230.82(2) meter disconnect, and not the service disconnecting means, whether or not it has OCPD in it.
I.e. you are required to have a service disconnect in a prescribed location, and it is required to have OCPD integral or immediately adjacent to it, but various other equipment is allowed to be installed on the utility side of that service disconnect, and there is no particular prohibition on that equipment having OCPD within it.
Cheers, Wayne
I.e. you are required to have a service disconnect in a prescribed location, and it is required to have OCPD integral or immediately adjacent to it, but various other equipment is allowed to be installed on the utility side of that service disconnect, and there is no particular prohibition on that equipment having OCPD within it.
Cheers, Wayne
electrofelon
Senior Member
- Location
- Cherry Valley NY, Seattle, WA
- Occupation
- Electrician
In addition to the clarification I mentioned in post #7, I would also clarify on which side of the meter they are talking about
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Post 3 says the disconnect is on the load side of the meter. I don't see how a disconnect on the load side meter serves to disconnect the meter.
- Location
- Tennessee NEC:2017
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrician
Missed the 175' distance part.
wwhitney
Senior Member
- Location
- Berkeley, CA
- Occupation
- Retired
"Meter disconnect" has no NEC definition, so who says it has to be on the line side of the meter?
Could still be useful for pulling the meter, killing the disconnect kills the load on the meter, so you can pull it without any load on it.
Cheers, Wayne
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
I hear tell that this rule will be done away this as it is causing many problems. I would continue with 4 wires--just my opinion.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Yes, 230.85 will not appear in the 2026 code. 230.70(A) will require that the service disconnect for one and two family dwellings be at a readily accessible location on the outside of the dwelling or within sight from the dwelling.
I appreciate everyone's comments, I suppose I will just play it safe and set a 400A disconnect for the house, and a 100A disconnect for the shop grouped together next to the meter pedestal, bond each of those and run the 4 wire service to each of the structures. like some one mentioned above, I was trying to save customer on wire and disconnects. Thank again!
electrofelon
Senior Member
- Location
- Cherry Valley NY, Seattle, WA
- Occupation
- Electrician
I wouldn't. I would see if I could run 3 wire. It's really a much better system: less equipment, less connections, better fault return path.
Tulsa Electrician
Senior Member
- Location
- Tulsa
- Occupation
- Electrician
Would a shop be considered a dwelling?
Not unless it meets the NEC definition. Unlikely.