Is A Main Disconnect Code Requierment?

pitterpat

I am looking at buying a duplex house. Was checking out the electrical box in the basement for that side of the duplex. It is an 100 amp box but it does not have a main disconnect installed in the box. There is a location for the main disconnect, and it is still covered up. Is it a code requirement to have a main disconnect in each box?

Thanks, Pat

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Andy in ATL

Did you look outside at the meter? The disconnect is probably out there.

neolitic

I've never seen that on residential in this part of the world.
Looks strange when I see it other places.
I guess we don't trust the neighborhood kids as much as other places do.

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Magnettica

Yes, NEC article 230.70

Means shall be provided to disconnect all conductors in a building or other structure from the service-entrance conductors.

I agree with Andy. Check outside by the metering equipment or maybe even near where the other electrical panel is. It's either going to be outside, or the nearest point of entrance (hopefully).

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neolitic

Is it maybe one of those big old houses some one split up to make a duplex?

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neolitic

Guys, here the HO can do his own wiring. No permit, no inspection, nada.

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pitterpat

Thanks all.

I'll ck outside next time I go to the house.

The other side of the house has it's own 100 amp service panel.

No, this house was built as a duplex originally. It's a side by side, not up and down.

neolitic: What's the name of your electrical co? Also what is your going rate to change 100 amp service to 200 amp. The 100 amp service panel is on the wall in the basement just below where the meter is located outside. You can PM if you want.

Thanks, Pat

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Magnettica

But it would be foolish to blatantly disregard the NEC just because you can.

Stuff like grounding and properly sized conductors is pretty important, you know?

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mahlere

that's well and good, but you have to group your disconnects...don't know the code section off hand, but in a nutshell...

if there are more than 6 circuits in the panel, you need a main disconnect

if there is more than 1 panel in a house, you need to group your main disconnects. If there are 2 panels in the basement, they can both be main circuit breakers and be legal...

if one panel is in the 1st floor unit, and one is in the 2nd floor unit, you need to have separate mains that are together. Usually outside, but also in the basement is fine. This makes the panels in the units sub panels, not mains.

does that make sense?

neolitic

I didn't say otherwise, but there may be one or two HO's around that never heard of any of that. Ya think?
Like I said, in Indiana the HO can do anything, including changing out the service, with no permit and no inspection.
I didn't write the laws here, I just live with them.

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neolitic

That's what I'm thinking, one of them is really a sub panel.

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neolitic

If there is one out there it would be the first I've seen.
Sorry, I'm not a sparky.
I could hook you up with a guy though.
OOps that doesn't sound right, sorry.
I can put you in touch with the guy that does our work
PM the area of the duplex.

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pitterpat

I don't think so. There are separate meters on the outside of the house, on each, here's pics of the rear. I don't have pic's of the service panels but each one has 100 amps in it, just that one does not have a main disconnect. The service panels are directly below the meter's in the basement.

Also it looks like there is not a disconnect outside for the one that does not have a main disconnect. The service panel without the main disconnect is for the picture on the right side.

PS. I thought I was the only boring one with nothing to do on a Saturday night

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neolitic

Is it up around Butler?

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pitterpat

Nope, can't afford that.

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Magnettica

Looks like you have two meters to me.

The panel apprently has no main disconnect.

Which makes sense since "anything goes" there.

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neolitic

I'd make a bet that the owner "lived in" one side of the double, and put in the panel himself.
Your the expert, but I'll bet that they were 60A fuse boxes to start with.

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pitterpat

Nope, owner never did live in this house. The owner is 76, he started buying houses in 1964, has bought and sold many. Had up to 10 properties including small apt building and ofc. This is his last house. But I do think the owner put in the panel himself...... Probably did have 60 amp fuse boxes, this house was built in 1930.

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neolitic

Notice the quotes?
That's the trick they use to do their own work on rentals.
I didn't think that he really occupied the house.

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Speedy Petey

I bet a box of donuts that the panel in question is a split-buss panel. This is why she thinks there is no main. There are probably four mains in that panel.

Also, is there a firewall separation between the two sides? That's the ONLY way you'd get two meters on opposite sides of the house like that and still be legal.
Each side is considered a separate structure. One could burn down the other not be touched.

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