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Fidel Gonzales
03-20-2013, 05:19 AM
Inspected a apartment "condo" that had no disconnect in the residence or one for the individual unit. The condo has its own meter and the panel is in the laundry room. there are 10 circuits in the box. Should this panel have a main disconnect? or is this requirement satisfied by having a disconnect for the entire building since the panel has more than 6 breakers. Any advise/recommendation would be most appreciate. Thank you all in advance for you help

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sanjeev supayia
03-20-2013, 06:11 AM
Inspected a apartment "condo" that had no disconnect in the residence or one for the individual unit. The condo has its own meter and the panel is in the laundry room. there are 10 circuits in the box. Should this panel have a main disconnect? or is this requirement satisfied by having a disconnect for the entire building since the panel has more than 6 breakers. Any advise/recommendation would be most appreciate. Thank you all in advance for you help

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I never seen main disconnect at condo units electrical panel.
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Lon Henderson
03-20-2013, 06:47 AM
It must have its own main disconnect whether at the meter on the outside or at the service panel on the inside.
H.G. Watson, Sr.
03-20-2013, 09:10 AM
Those look like meter mains to me I see 3 in the second photo), so there would be disc just below the meter(s). Is the meter room/area OR the electrical distribution room elsewhere (for main power feeder to unit) accessible to the occupant (key to room/area or unlocked), or is the bldg under continuous, attended, 24/7 supervision? The switchgear should be field labeled.
Jerry Peck
03-20-2013, 05:33 PM
... panel requiring a 4 conductor feeder.

And the metal conduit (if it is metal) can serve as the grounding conductor from the panel in the condo to the condo main disconnect (which is most likely not service equipment equipment as there is that one large service disconnect present - would need more information that is given to address that aspect)

As Watson pointed out, the mains at the condo main disconnects (which are likely not service disconnects) should be labeled with the condo addresses, unit numbers, or some other readily recognizable method so a person would know which main disconnect was for which condo.
Fidel Gonzales
03-21-2013, 05:22 AM
And the metal conduit (if it is metal) can serve as the grounding conductor from the panel in the condo to the condo main disconnect (which is most likely not service equipment equipment as there is that one large service disconnect present - would need more information that is given to address that aspect)

As Watson pointed out, the mains at the condo main disconnects (which are likely not service disconnects) should be labeled with the condo addresses, unit numbers, or some other readily recognizable method so a person would know which main disconnect was for which condo.

Hey Guys I wanted to say a BIG Thanks to all you for your help and advise. I now got the big picture on what to tell my client. Happy inspecting to all. Regards Fidel from Illinois