Originally Posted By: osmith This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hello all,
I need a little assistance with a couple of ongoing dilemmas I've had. How do you or do you at all determine the amperage in a condo that doesn't have a main? Also, is there a way to determine the amperage in a fuse box without pulling the main out to see the main fuses?
Originally Posted By: jpope This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
There is a meter room (usually inaccessible) where the service equipment is usually located. This is where the main for condos will be found.
If you are not allowed access, you should report that the "service amperage could not be determined." It's also important to state "why" you could not make the determination.
-- Jeff Pope
JPI Home Inspection Service
"At JPI, we'll help you look better"
(661) 212-0738
Originally Posted By: pdickerson This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
The service disconnect should be accessible to the homeowner so that power can be disconnected in the event of an electrical emergency. I write it up as a safety issue if it is not accessible.
Originally Posted By: kmcmahon This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
osmith wrote:
Hello all,
I need a little assistance with a couple of ongoing dilemmas I've had. How do you or do you at all determine the amperage in a condo that doesn't have a main? Also, is there a way to determine the amperage in a fuse box without pulling the main out to see the main fuses?
Thanks,
Oscar
There are three ways to determine service amperage.
1. Disconnect rating (main fuse or breaker)
2. Service wire size
3. Panel rating
You take the smallest of the three.
Because it's a fused block panel, the only way to determine the amperage of the main is to pull the block, which isn't recommended.
You can state the amperage using what you can see, but also note that the amperage of the fuse block could be lower, but it could not be determined without disconnecting power to the home.
Or you can just state that it couldn't be determined and leave it at that. 
Originally Posted By: jpope This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
pdickerson wrote:
The service disconnect should be accessible to the homeowner so that power can be disconnected in the event of an electrical emergency. I write it up as a safety issue if it is not accessible.
There is an exception in the NEC to this rule. See NEC 230.72(C)
-- Jeff Pope
JPI Home Inspection Service
"At JPI, we'll help you look better"
(661) 212-0738
Originally Posted By: pdickerson This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Jeff,
NEC 230 72(c) states that "in a multi-occupancy building where electrical service and maintenance is provided by the building management and that these are under constant building management supervision, the service disconnecting means supplying more than one occupancy shall be permitted to be accessible to authorized management personnel only."
The way I read this, if the service disconnect only supplies one condo unit, it should be accessible to the occupant, but if it supplies more than one unit, it is permitted to be locked up if there is always someone on site to call in an emergency. Am I reading that right?
Originally Posted By: jpope This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
pdickerson wrote:
The way I read this, if the service disconnect only supplies one condo unit, it should be accessible to the occupant, but if it supplies more than one unit, it is permitted to be locked up if there is always someone on site to call in an emergency. Am I reading that right?
That is the intention (I believe) of this exception.
I have never seen a situation where the meter/service equipment room was under constant building management supervision, but management of most high rise units will disagree.
I simply make the client aware of the rule and exception as I understand them. I have had several calls from building management as a result.
-- Jeff Pope
JPI Home Inspection Service
"At JPI, we'll help you look better"
(661) 212-0738
Originally Posted By: mwright1 This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Jeff,
You said the main shutt off should be in a meter room? I inspected a condo last week (Very Nice!!) and there was no main shut off on the panel inside. The meters are all mounted to the outside wall of the end unit. I did not see a way to shut the power off the just the one unit, and there wasn't a Service Room. I wrote it up as something that should be looked by an electrician. The condo was not yet a year old and they were having it inspected for it's 1 year warranty.
Originally Posted By: jpope This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
mwright1 wrote:
I inspected a condo last week (Very Nice!!) and there was no main shut off on the panel inside. The meters are all mounted to the outside wall of the end unit. I did not see a way to shut the power off the just the one unit, and there wasn't a Service Room. I wrote it up as something that should be looked by an electrician.
If there was no overcurrent protection from the service equipment to the interior panel, it should be flagged as a safety concern. To have unprotected service cables running through the building would be a clear "violation" (as Joe T. would say).
-- Jeff Pope
JPI Home Inspection Service
"At JPI, we'll help you look better"
(661) 212-0738