SERVICE QUESTION

[ROBERT YOUNG]

Gentlemen, I require some help concerning overhead service requirements. What constitutes an 'independent service' in a building.
Looking forward to you thoughts.
Thank you.

Duplex with a b. civic address for a renovated basement rental.
1 overhand service. That service has been split into 2 feeds into 2 separate weather-heads and masts.
Service equipment.
Main disconnect. 200 amp Enclosed Switch. Obsolete.
Splitter feed box. Unknown manufacturer.
3 meters.
3 panels.
Something does not look right but I can not follow everything overhead.
Typically/usually, I am use to seeing the feeds through 3 masts and mast-heads.

As well, no service equipment in main civic unit.
You have to enter the renovated b. address to do any work to your service equipment including resetting OCD's or/and fused disconnect.

FEED AT THE MAST-HEADS.
http://www.inspectionnews.net/home_inspection/attachment.php?attachmentid=33742&stc=1

[Jerry Peck]

What constitutes an 'independent service' in a building.
.
.
.
1 overhand service.

You've answered your own question - one service to that building.

There can be up to 6 main service disconnects (plus one more to a fire pump, but that would not apply here), and all 6 main service disconnects would need to be grouped together at one location (with an exception, as I recall).

Number of meters on on a single service? How many meters do you want?

[John Kogel]

Usually when the utility company makes the connections, they have inspected and are accepting the installation of the weatherheads and meter cans, no?
As long as there is no blatant violation of code, such as height above a roof or driveway, and there is no evidence of damage, then that portion of the service must be acceptable.
Since you are dealing with Quebec Hydro, and they hooked it up, c'est bien, no?

Rules for duplex have changed a bit, as I now see in my area an upsized single mast feeding 2 meters where there may have been 2 masts in the past. A single mast probably simplifies grounding issues, among other things.

[ROBERT YOUNG]

Happy for myself I have you to answer my own questions.
Gees Louise. I forgot 6 main service disconnects rule. :(
As Charley Brown would admit. ...
http://www.inspectionnews.net/home_inspection/attachment.php?attachmentid=33743&stc=1

[Jerry Peck]

I wanted to address this part separately:


As well, no service equipment in main civic unit.

That's good. The "service equipment" should all be at the same location, as previously discussed.


You have to enter the renovated b. address to do any work to your service equipment including resetting OCD's or/and fused disconnect.

Not following this part - does "b. address" mean "basement unit?"

IF ... and that is a big IF as the CEC has differences than our NEC ... the CEC has the same requirement as the NEC, then all occupants are required to have access to all their OCD.

Thus, if we break the (apparently) three units down into 'Unit A', 'Unit B', and 'Unit C', then:
- the occupants Unit A are required to have access to the OCD which protect the circuits in their unit
- the occupants of Unit B are required to have access to the OCD which protect the circuits in their unit
- the occupants of Unit C are required to have access to the OCD which protect the circuits in their units
- and given that the obvious is present (rather, 'not present') - there is no 24 hour on-site maintenance person present on-site who has access to all OCD in all units ... with that being the case, the OCD for any unit are not permitted to be in any other unit which is lockable to keep them out (and ... hopefully the obvious is true ... each dwelling unit is lockable by its occupants to keep others out).

[ROBERT YOUNG]

I wanted to address this part separately:



That's good. The "service equipment" should all be at the same location, as previously discussed.



Not following this part - does "b. address" mean "basement unit?"

IF ... and that is a big IF as the CEC has differences than our NEC ... the CEC has the same requirement as the NEC, then all occupants are required to have access to all their OCD.

Thus, if we break the (apparently) three units down into 'Unit A', 'Unit B', and 'Unit C', then:
- the occupants Unit A are required to have access to the OCD which protect the circuits in their unit
- the occupants of Unit B are required to have access to the OCD which protect the circuits in their unit
- the occupants of Unit C are required to have access to the OCD which protect the circuits in their units
- and given that the obvious is present (rather, 'not present') - there is no 24 hour on-site maintenance person present on-site who has access to all OCD in all units ... with that being the case, the OCD for any unit are not permitted to be in any other unit which is lockable to keep them out (and ... hopefully the obvious is true ... each dwelling unit is lockable by its occupants to keep others out).

I could not finish the post. I had to go to see Bones, then off work.

Service equipment in the basement as per usual.
Correct. 'Unit A', 'Unit B', and 'Unit C'
Unit 'B' is the basement. Unit 'A' the main level. Unit 'C' top unit.
Unit 'A' has no OCD's. I mentioned that as I went through unit 'BA before I started the assessment.
I asked, "Where is the breaker panel?" They said, "Unit 'B' follow me.
All professional work the agent exclaimed.
I asked when was the work completed. I was told 2014. Only one panel looked new.
I asked, "any invoices?" No reply.

Yes, the NEC and CEC are the same. Client advised in the report.

Thanks.

[Gunnar Alquist]

Happy for myself I have you to answer my own questions.
Gees Louise. I forgot 6 main service disconnects rule. :(
As Charley Brown would admit. ...
http://www.inspectionnews.net/home_inspection/attachment.php?attachmentid=33743&stc=1

Charlie Brown. Get it right. :cool:

[ROBERT YOUNG]

Gunner, never seen this before. Brain Cramp.
Typically one of the 2 public utility cables are spliced making 3 separate feeds for 3 conduits/raceways.

3 entrance conduits.
3 main disconnects in a basement or crawlspace.
3 remote or sub panels. OCD's located in the kitchen or utility rooms, with or without a disconnecting means.

Even the metering equipment threw me off.
1 outside. 2 inside with the service equipment.
2 safety switches, 2 panels with OCD's.

Thank you and Jerry for chiming in. You guys are the best.

[Jerry Peck]

Charlie Brown. Get it right. :cool:

Boy, the speelin' police must have been on stake out duty recently, haven't they? :focus:

[ROBERT YOUNG]

I think Gunner it trying to copy me. LoL.