Service Question

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bcorbin

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I am working on a building which has a 4000-amp service located in a powerhouse, which I think most people would consider to be a separate entity from the main building. The feeders to the building, 30-40 large conduits (3"-4"), come out of the powerhouse underground, then turn up inside a locked closet on the outer wall of the main building, at which point they branch out to all of the satellite electrical and mechanical rooms. The point I'd like to stress here is that the conduits run within the building (ceiling cavities and chases) from that point, not under.

Doesn't this violate the requirement for the service disconnects to be "nearest the point of entry to the building?". Am I correct that each of these feeds between buildings could be considered a service, or am I just being pedantic?
 
I'm assuming these feeders come from some type of distribution equipment with OC protection located in the powerhouse.

If the powerhouse is considered a seperate building, then NEC 225.30 states that only one feeder is permitted to feed the main building, unless permitted by paragraphs A, B, C, D or E. You may have bigger problems than you think.
 
I think I may have just found the answer.

If 225.30 C - Capacity requirements allow additional feeders and branch circuits where more than 2000A are required, that part would be okay.

I also think that the building qualifies as having single management, safe switching procedures, and only qualifed personnel monitoring the installation. I guess this would then allow use of 225.32 - Location, Exception No. 1.

I'm happy now. I love when problems go away. :D
 
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