To disconnect or not...

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ffishbait

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I put in a 200a underground service. I came out of the panel with an 1 1/4 " conduit to feed the garage. (100a). The means of disconnect is at the 200 amp panel. (2 pole 100a breaker). The inspector tells me it is required to have a means of disconnect outside the garage. I looked in nec 230 and I can't find the answer. Any help?
 
If the garage is detached 230 is not the applicable article, you are describing a feeder. See 225.31 and 225.32 if infact the garage is detached.

Roger
 
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If its attached, I agree with 77401 and Iwire.

If ist unattached, I agree with Roger and Iwire.

:D I fear I may have started something. Or maybe Iwire started it:D
 
I almost agree with Roger, Bob, et al. My question would be, why would the disco, if required, have to be on the outside of the the garage?
 
infinity said:
I almost agree with Roger, Bob, et al. My question would be, why would the disco, if required, have to be on the outside of the the garage?
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It would not have to be outside. 225.32 (presuming detached garage).
 
charlie b said:
It would not have to be outside. 225.32 (presuming detached garage).
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That's what I was thinking. Even if required it can be on the inside.
 
charlie b said:
It would not have to be outside. 225.32 (presuming detached garage).
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225.32 has essentially the same wording as 230.70(A)(1).

That being said many areas restrict service disconnects to outside the building.

I don't doubt that these same areas would expect the same treatment of feeders to separate structures.
 
Thanks for the help

Thanks for the help

I also agree that there is no reason for the disconnect. I think the inspector was "puffing up his chest" and unfortunately he is making me do this. Thanks for all the help.
 
ffishbait said:
I also agree that there is no reason for the disconnect. I think the inspector was "puffing up his chest" and unfortunately he is making me do this. Thanks for all the help.
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Fish bait, you never said if this was an attached or detached garage.

If it is detached it is required to have a disconect at the detached structure.
 
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Disconnect or not?

Disconnect or not?

Yes, the garage is detached. A 200 amp underground feed to the house with a 100amp 2 pole breaker to the garage. Mounting a nema 3 100amp disconnect on the outside seems rather excessive for a residential garage...

True, the panel is set for future plans, mig welder, power tools, ect... but it not going to be someones place of business, just a workshop.
 
Fishbate, a disconnect is required at the seperate structure . The inspector is doing his job.That having been said do you have more than six swipes of the hand in the panel ?
 
Now, being that the garage is detached and the disconnect is required (or no more than six OCPD's) you will need to read 250.32 closely.

Roger
 
M. D. said:
Fishbate, a disconnect is required at the seperate structure . The inspector is doing his job.That having been said do you have more than six swipes of the hand in the panel ?
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FWIW - That could be any combination of breakers, single or two pole.

EXAMPLE: three 2P30's and three 1P20's.

As long as the handles are connected together on a 2 pole (or 3 pole for that matter) it is considered ONE "swipe of the hand".
 
Minuteman said:
FWIW - That could be any combination of breakers, single or two pole.

EXAMPLE: three 2P30's and three 1P20's.

As long as the handles are connected together on a 2 pole (or 3 pole for that matter) it is considered ONE "swipe of the hand".
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And the panel itself is listed as 'service equipment' without a main breaker.

Not all MLO panels are listed as service equipment without a main breaker being added.
 
Everything in the 100 amp garage panel is less than 6 swipes. I don't know what the HO future plans are, but everything I'm hooking up; outlets, lights, welder, and saw is less than 6.

I understand that the panel needs a disconnect, I didn't realize that it needs to be on the outside of the garage. It was a step I did not anticipate.

Thanks to all that posted comments.

ffish
 
ffishbait said:
Yes, the garage is detached. A 200 amp underground feed to the house with a 100amp 2 pole breaker to the garage. Mounting a nema 3 100amp disconnect on the outside seems rather excessive for a residential garage...

True, the panel is set for future plans, mig welder, power tools, ect... but it not going to be someones place of business, just a workshop.
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The inspector is correct in this case, however the main breaker can serve as the disconnect for this detached garage....we will assume you are saying you had a MLO panel at this location......since it is detached it needs the Main Disconnection
 
ffishbait said:
I understand that the panel needs a disconnect, I didn't realize that it needs to be on the outside of the garage. It was a step I did not anticipate.

Thanks to all that posted comments.

ffish
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Fish,

It does not need to be on the outside, can be on the inside ( actually in the panel itself )..unless of course the panel is not directly at the point of enterance...then it would need the disconnect outside..or inside at the closest point of entrance.

In my area.....3' is as far away as they will allow under any condition but you most certainly need a disconnection means in that detached garage.
 
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