Thread: Primary disconnect

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this site but have already found answers to many of my questions. Thank you all for that. Here's my question: I was at a friends house that he recently purchased. We were looking it over and checked the 200 amp meter/ load center. It has a 100 amp breaker that supplies the laundry room sub panel, a 30 amp for the air conditioning compressor, and two or three 15 amp breakers for various spots around the house. Upstairsin the laundry room is the 100 amp sub panel that feeds everything else in the house. My question is, shouldn't there be a single means of shutting off power to the entire house? I've seen lots of meter /mains with a breaker controlling power to the bus but this one is fed directly from the meter and can't be killed without pulling the meter.
The house is one of many in a subdivision and they are only about eight years old.
Any comments on this? Thanks

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There are sections of code that have governed this for awhile... and I'm guessing that *somewhere* there is a main disconnect. Just looked... would appear that in California 230.71A *may* have applied there via the 6 or more rule, haven't seen a service like that in a while.

In counting the number of breakers in your post... would appear that equals about 5, then a disco as mentioned in laundry area.

haven't seen anything like this, can you post a pic or two.

Use the "attach image" and put a picture or two up, with cover open and meter face outside

As mentioned above, you don't have to have a single main service disconnect. 6 throws of the hand is all that is required. Count the number of breakers in the main panel. If more than 6, ya got a problem.

Breakers in the panels downstream dont count.

Hi Bruce and Tim. Thank you for the information. I have never heard of the six or more rule. It certainly clears up my question. As you mentioned; there are not six breakers in the main cabinet and so it's installation is correct. I would have been surprised if it were't since everything else about this home seems so well done. Again, thank you

Originally Posted by Mike Jones

200 amp meter/ load center. It has a 100 amp breaker that supplies the laundry room sub panel, a 30 amp for the air conditioning compressor, and two or three 15 amp breakers for various spots

Originally Posted by Mike Jones

there are not six breakers in the main cabinet and so it's installation is correct. I would have been surprised if it were't since everything else about this home seems so well done. Again, thank you

Don't think the likelihood of this being correct as described.

Two or three 15 amp branch circuits for lighting, receptacles ,baths, kitchen, garage does not sound correct.

My SWAG is the Main is at the Service Entrance.

Originally Posted by Billy Stephens

Don't think the likelihood of this being correct as described.

Two or three 15 amp branch circuits for lighting, receptacles ,baths, kitchen, garage does not sound correct.

My SWAG is the Main is at the Service Entrance.

Originally Posted by Mike Jones

and checked the 200 amp meter/ load center.

Billy,

That meter/load center combo is the service equipment, and, by his description, there are not more than six breakers in there, which would make it code compliant.

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

Billy,

That meter/load center combo is the service equipment, and, by his description, there are not more than six breakers in there, which would make it code compliant.

Code Compliant as Described Yes.

Not Probable with two or three 15 amp branch circuits in a 200amp Service Dwelling.

Originally Posted by Billy Stephens

Two or three 15 amp branch circuits for lighting, receptacles ,baths, kitchen, garage does not sound correct.

Originally Posted by Mike Jones

Upstairs in the laundry room is the 100 amp sub panel that feeds everything else in the house.

I think he's good.