Tpole with disconnect

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

Sparky Adam

Master Electrician
Location
Dallas, TX
Occupation
Operations Manager / Master Electrician
The city of Dallas is starting to require our tpoles to have a service disconnect on them. This puts us in a bind since we use the all-in-one panels from Midwest and they don't have a main disconnect provision.

Do any of you all have a recommendation for this setup? I'm having the darndest time trying to find something to fit the bill.
 
There needs to be some common sense with this new requirement for a disconnect. It's supposed to be a way for fire fighters to quickly disconnect power to a building without pulling the meter. With a temp pole, for construction purposes, there usually is just a couple of circuits to power tools and maybe lights. There is no meter or panel connected to a finished building, it's on a temp pole away from the building. The disconnect would serve no purpose. You can kill any power to the building by turning off the one or two breakers at the temp panel.
Thankfully, we are not on the 2020 here and even if we were, the inspectors have agreed that the disconnect is not needed for a temp pole & panel.
 
It still not as easy, but a mobile home disconnect with 4-6 spaces would be more compact than using a meter and disconnect plus receptacles. You would only have to add the receptacles below it. That main in separate enclosures rule just drives up costs.
 
You can also do a 2pole 20 in a 2 space 3r panel and hit 2 gfi with a multiwire and then call it good if you're looking for a slick cheap install. Go with the smallest wire that'll fit the lugs of the meter to feed with.
 
If you can get by with 60 amps, could you install a cheap 60A non-fusible disconnect ahead of the meter? Would that satisfy your inspector?
 
Sparky Adam said:
The city of Dallas is starting to require our tpoles to have a service disconnect on them. This puts us in a bind since we use the all-in-one panels from Midwest and they don't have a main disconnect provision.

Do any of you all have a recommendation for this setup? I'm having the darndest time trying to find something to fit the bill.
Click to expand...
Why not just a 100 A meter main with spaces?
 
letgomywago said:
Needs to be SUSE rated
Click to expand...

Little Bill said:
There needs to be some common sense with this new requirement for a disconnect. It's supposed to be a way for fire fighters to quickly disconnect power to a building without pulling the meter. With a temp pole, for construction purposes, there usually is just a couple of circuits to power tools and maybe lights. There is no meter or panel connected to a finished building, it's on a temp pole away from the building. The disconnect would serve no purpose. You can kill any power to the building by turning off the one or two breakers at the temp panel.
Thankfully, we are not on the 2020 here and even if we were, the inspectors have agreed that the disconnect is not needed for a temp pole & panel.
Click to expand...
Is it a requirement to have this service disconnect in the 2020 NEC? I am not seeing it in Art. 590.
 
If you have space you may be able to back feed a two pole to use as a main.
Hold down kit
Line side protection kit
Use old equipment.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top