When did the six disconnect rule take place?

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rich9112

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Hi all you guru's.
I am dealing with a "home inspector" who claims that the existing service on a thirty year old home is illegal because it does not have a disconnect. Actually it is an all in one and has approx. 20 breakers/(disconnects). Before I open that can of worms I wanted to know if the 6 disconnect rule was already in effect when the house was constructed back in 1978. I would love to tell him he is not only mistaken about having a disconnect but that it met code when constructed. I just want to know if this is indeed the case.

Thanks,
Adam
 
2371.a.3.: Not more than six circuit breakers may serve in leiu of the service overcurrent device.
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From the 1937 NEC.

The rule may be older than that, as the numbering system was radically changed for the '37, and it's hard to work backwards from there.

Keep in mind that 1.) the NEC may not have been enforced at that time for that home, and 2.) If it were, it may not have been the current edition. Just because a home was built in '78 doesn't automatically make it wired to the '78 NEC.
 
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So is an all in one a 'set' of circuit breakers?

So is an all in one a 'set' of circuit breakers?

In 230.71 it states that the service disconnecting means shall consist of not more than 6 switches or "sets" of circuit breakers mounted in a single enclosure, in a group of separate enclosures, or in or on a switchboard...

So... is an all in one panel just a 'set of breakers'?

Confused,
Adam
 
If you turned off just 6 breakers, and there's still power turned on somewhere, then it's a violation of 230.71.

Make sure this isn't a split-bus panel, BTW. ;)
 
Not a split bus

Not a split bus

Sooo...

It does not have a group of breakers feeding the others in the panel. I suppose the panel is then illegal? It is just a meter (GE?) with 20 spaces on the load side. (Not a split bus.)
 
Home inspector rant

Home inspector rant

The home is for sale. This guy is supposed to be the third party expert on everything from squeeky doors to leaky faucets and doors that shut too tight.
They do their 'inspection' from a series of checklists provided by the inspection company. The actual qualifications vary immensely. The buyer thinks that since this unlicensed 'expert' wrote it as a correction item, that the house is inherently unsafe for habitable purposes. Go figure. I know the fire gods would probably agree with him but I can't see how an all in one is all that bad.

Still confused,
Adam
 
Why do they make a service that is designed to violate code?

Why do they make a service that is designed to violate code?

So if an all in one service is illegal how do they manage to sell them? Better yet, how do I fix one? I don't like the idea of a shunt trip but is that my option?
 
rich9112 said:
So if an all in one service is illegal how do they manage to sell them?
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It probably has a label in it that says something like "Suitable for use as service entrance equipment when provided with not more than 6 disconnecting devices" and it was misapplied.
 
If the panel does not say suitable for use as service equipment the only fix is to install a main ahead of panel that is listed for use as service eauipment or change the panel to one that is suitable for service equipment.
 
Breaker ties/handles

Breaker ties/handles

Would this be remotely okay?

How about I slap some breaker ties in the panel so that I have 6 'quad' breakers? It would be inconvenient to work on individual branch circuits but wouldn't that be the same as 6 disconnects?

Just thinking,
Adam
 
rich9112 said:
Would this be remotely okay?

How about I slap some breaker ties in the panel so that I have 6 'quad' breakers? It would be inconvenient to work on individual branch circuits but wouldn't that be the same as 6 disconnects?

Just thinking,
Adam
Click to expand...

Is it out of the realm of possibility to add a service disconnect ahead of this seemingly non code compliant panel? If you did this it would negate the concerns of the home inspector if in fact the home inspectors concerns are even worth noting.
 
Do a load calc. Add the correct 2 pole breaker and back feed it with the proper lockdown kit. May have to change the service entrance wires.
 
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