utility service thru attic

[Daniel A Sciacca]

our local utiltiy is suggesting that a service entrance be run through an attic to a meter at the opposite end of the house. The reason is the service is in the rear of the lot and they want to read the meter at the front.

I am aware of article 230.70 A 1 and 230.90. Is this overridden by the utility not being governed by NEC or is the fact they are entering the house the rule that applies

 

[tom baker]

Re: utility service thru attic

I would be concerned about running unfused service entrance conductors that far. while the NEC has no distance limit, many local areas do, such as 2,3 5 or 15 ft.
However, if the utility has a specific requirement, then an AHJ will enforce it.
Lets see if Charlie picks this up, he is a member of CMP 10 on Art 240, and is a POCO engineer.

 

[hurk27]

Re: utility service thru attic

Dan I can't see a problem with it as long as a disconnect with OCPD in it are placed at the drop end.(Before the conductors enter the building) If these conductors were to short out there would be no over current protection for them. the fuses at the transformer are only for protection of the primary conductors feeding the transformer and in most cases would not provide protection for the service entrance conductors.

Edited to add the ()

[ October 26, 2005, 12:01 AM: Message edited by: hurk27 ]

 

[benaround]

Re: utility service thru attic

Dan,

I think your choises are,stay on the outside of the building,or outside underground to meter.

It is a very rare thing to see ocpd before the meter do to stealing power is possible.

 

[allenwayne]

Re: utility service thru attic

If the problem is all about reading the meter doesn`t your poco have remote meter dials.They are used here allot where the flood plain is 14 ft and the meter is on the 2nd floor .Which is actually the 1st living level.The builder builds a set of stairs and a 3 ft X 3 ft platform to accomadate the service equiptment.Guess the poco doesn`t want their readers to walk up that far

 

[allenwayne]

Re: utility service thru attic

Almost forgot,What about meters that don`t have to be read at all ?? Do they use them there ? A simple press of a button as they drive by and meter is read.

 

[iwire]

Re: utility service thru attic

Originally posted by benaround:
It is a very rare thing to see ocpd before the meter do to stealing power is possible.

That is a question for the power company, they will call it hot or cold sequencing.

Many services in this area are cold sequence which means the disconnect is on the line side of the meter.

Sometimes on cold sequence meters the power company will install locks on both the disconnect and meter to help prevent theft.

 

[electric_instructor]

Re: utility service thru attic

I agree, the power company REQUIRES cold sequence disconnects in this area,(anything over 200 amps) Single phase or not.

The fuses are required to be rated at or below the FAULT CURRENT, as in 10,000, or 5,000 amps.

In any event, it is ultimatly up to the AHJ, and the power company.

But it could easily be done in this area, simply due to the power companies requirements.

Here, as in most locals, the power company simply doesn't have to connect (or sell) electricity to ANYONE!