I have a service entrance which extends into a building more than 10'. In Vermont, we can't go further than that without a disconnecting means. I have an 800 amp enclosed breaker at the transformer located 250 feet away from the building. I did not pull an equipment grounding conductor in with my service conductors. I esatblished my ground in the building at my meter center. My inspector is considering the disconnect at the transformer as my service entrance and says I should have pulled a ground in with my service lateral. I can't find a specific reference to this issue in either 230 or 250. Any ideas?
Service Entrance or not?
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bphgravity
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Re: Service Entrance or not?
The code deos not specify the maximum length which is considered the nearest point of entry. This will be up to the interpretation of the AHJ.
From your description, the service disconnecting means is before the utility meter which is usually not allowed per POCO specifications. With that, it appears your service lateral is actually a feeder lateral and would require an EGC. 250.32(B)(1)(2) may apply if the location of the first disconnect is considered a "structure". The code definition is very, very broad.
The code deos not specify the maximum length which is considered the nearest point of entry. This will be up to the interpretation of the AHJ.
From your description, the service disconnecting means is before the utility meter which is usually not allowed per POCO specifications. With that, it appears your service lateral is actually a feeder lateral and would require an EGC. 250.32(B)(1)(2) may apply if the location of the first disconnect is considered a "structure". The code definition is very, very broad.
Re: Service Entrance or not?
I think in this instance, if the disconnect at the tranformer is considered to be the service disconnect, then 250.32 would apply, and 250.32(B)(2)could be used, thus allowing the EGC to be omitted. But, if you read 225.31 through 225.36, the requirements for the disconnecting means at this "separate structure", including its location, are the same as if you considered the service disconnect to be located at the building, so it really doesn't matter which way you consider it. Either way, I wouldn't allow the disconnect to be more than 10' inside the building. I considere 10' feet to be sretching the limits of "nearest the point of entrance". The fact that the conductors are protected by a breaker at the other end helps a lot in my opinion.
I think in this instance, if the disconnect at the tranformer is considered to be the service disconnect, then 250.32 would apply, and 250.32(B)(2)could be used, thus allowing the EGC to be omitted. But, if you read 225.31 through 225.36, the requirements for the disconnecting means at this "separate structure", including its location, are the same as if you considered the service disconnect to be located at the building, so it really doesn't matter which way you consider it. Either way, I wouldn't allow the disconnect to be more than 10' inside the building. I considere 10' feet to be sretching the limits of "nearest the point of entrance". The fact that the conductors are protected by a breaker at the other end helps a lot in my opinion.
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