when to use a service disconnect?

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elektrisista

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Westchester NY
Hola folks, I?m a bit rusty ( been out of the field for a while? stumbling back in)

I recently completed a renovation and the service is in need of an upgrade (200A calculated). There is an existing main disconnect on the exterior of the house I?m hoping to do away with if possible. I?m not entirely certain how to determine the necessary distance between the meter and main panel before a disconnect is required.
I can pretty much make a straight run from the back of the meter pan through the side wall of the structure and into the panel located in a mechanical room with 9 feet of pipe (rigid conduit and main panel will both be surface mounted upon entrance)
Do I need a service disconnect, and what are some of your initial thoughts when determining whether a disconnect is required when distances are questionable?
 
230.70(A)(1) says:
The service disconnecting means shall be installed at a readily accessible location either outside of a building or structure or inside nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors.​

It's up to the AHJ to define "nearest." Some jurisdictions I work in have a policy of allowing a certain distance (usually 4-5 feet), while others don't allow much at all. My guess is that most AHJs will say 9 feet is not "nearest" the point of entrance and will require a separate disconnect. Your best bet is to contact the AHJ and see what they say.

FWIW, I recently did a service upgrade like the one you mentioned, and I found it was cheaper to buy a meter/disco combo than if I had bought the the meter socket and combo switch separately. It's also a lot easier to install.
 
I do agree 9 feet is stretching it, the reason I’m consulting folks elsewhere avoiding contact with the ‘higher powers’ due to time constraints in search of something concrete.
Basically, I wanted to simplify construction while removing an eyesore because I can’t place it inside.

from what I gather ( based on the code posted here) 230.70(A)(1) applies to the meter/disconnect post installation , rather than from the meter/panel..

Well double dumbass on me! I’ve never seen a combo used around these parts and I’ve been servicing my area for 10 years! Cheaper ya say eh. I must look into this.

thanks jeff for the reply
 
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Electrisista
I am also from Westchester County. You will not be able to enter the building and travel that far to the panel here. A disconnect either outside or immediately upon entrance will be required.
Don't forget that all electrical installations in Westchester are required to be filed and installed by a licensed electrical person. ;)
 
Fortunately an ‘unlicensed person’ can still perform installations in Westchester unlike CT, but that will soon change….provided a licensed entity files.
I’ve never been able to get a definitive answer as to how far is to far. If you live and work in Westchester then I’m sure you’ve seen a couple of recent installations done by qualified personnel where a means of disconnect should have been used.
About 4 years an inspector passed me on a service done without a disconnect @ a distance of 7 feet. Some inspector grant us leeway while others don’t, you how it works round our way;)

Thing is, not here or in the field can I find a… well… precise means of measurement to commence work. I’ve heard of various maximum distance in my day, yet none I can confidently rely on other than obvious.
 
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