Service Switchboard for Multiple Buildings

[Machiavelli999]

A parcel of land, with two warehouses, has a large utility transformer with a 4,000A service switchgear. This switchgear has multiple distribution sections. In each section are 6 meter sockets. Two sections are currently being used; one for each warehouse.

There is another distribution section with 6 more spare meter sockets. They are planned for a 3rd warehouse to be built on the parcel. I was asked if this is legal from a grounding perspective. Can multiple buildings share a service switchboard? Don't they require separate service board with separate grounds?

I think that this should be legal and that the new warehouse just needs to have it's structural steel, cold water pipe, etc. bonded back to the ground bus bar in the main service switchboard.

Thoughts?

 

[infinity]

If I'm understanding the setup this is not different than having a service in a house and sub-panels in both the shed and a garage. Can you explain with a little more detail how the 6 meters are used in each section?

 

[augie47]

Looks like a c;assic example for Art 250.32

 

[petersonra]

It is not unusual for an entire complex of many buildings to have a single service.

 

[Machiavelli999]

If I'm understanding the setup this is not different than having a service in a house and sub-panels in both the shed and a garage. Can you explain with a little more detail how the 6 meters are used in each section?

The warehouses are sub-divided into suites. So each meter for a suite with perhaps one meter being a house panel.

 

[augie47]

The primary difference between the warehouse being fed by a utility service vs a feeder from the switchboard would be the requirement for an equipment grounding conductor to be included with the feeder. Grounding electorde requirements would be essentially the same.

 

[infinity]

The primary difference between the warehouse being fed by a utility service vs a feeder from the switchboard would be the requirement for an equipment grounding conductor to be included with the feeder. Grounding electorde requirements would be essentially the same.

I agree but can these separate feeders feed one building? He has 6 meters and are feeding different tenant spaces in a remote building.

 

[augie47]

I agree but can these separate feeders feed one building? He has 6 meters and are feeding different tenant spaces in a remote building.

From the original post I was unsure if the "6 meters" were at the service or at the warehouse being fed, IF we are looking at 6 feeders to the warehouse I would agree under the '17 Code that would not be permissible unless it was determined it met one of the special conditions such as 225.30(E)

 

[petersonra]

From the original post I was unsure if the "6 meters" were at the service or at the warehouse being fed, IF we are looking at 6 feeders to the warehouse I would agree under the '17 Code that would not be permissible unless it was determined it met one of the special conditions such as 225.30(E)

If there were firewalls between the individual tenant spaces I could see how they might be considered to be separate structures.