I have a two unit condo served by a distribution panel for these two units. It’s located within a complex of numerous two unit condos. No main shut off and lots of individual circuit breakers. The 6 throw rule does not apply. There should be a remotely located main shut off. It is not anywhere on the interior or exterior of this unit. I had full access to all locked rooms and closets. I suspect it is located in an association building where the main power drop is located.
Is this ok, main shut off is located in a detached building? This was a 2000 build.
For my report, I have a disclaimer that I was unable to locate the main disconnect, so this issue is not affecting my report. The electrical contractor that wired this complex is a good commercial contractor. I have confidence in their work. All other aspects of the electrical system were fine with no findings.
230.72(C) Access to Occupants.
In a multiple-occupancy building, each occupant shall have access to the occupant’s service disconnecting means.
Exception: In a multiple-occupancy building where electric service and electrical maintenance are provided by the building management and where these are under continuous building management supervision, the service disconnecting means supplying more than one occupancy shall be permitted to be accessible to authorized management personnel only.
That’s what I found too.
230.72(C) Access to Occupants.
In a multiple-occupancy building, each occupant shall have access to the occupant’s service disconnecting means.
Exception: In a multiple-occupancy building where electric service and electrical maintenance are provided by the building management and where these are under continuous building management supervision, the service disconnecting means supplying more than one occupancy shall be permitted to be accessible to authorized management personnel only.
I also run into the same situation as Michael, and usually get the above Code thrown at me. When I push for details of the…
They like to respond with… “We have an on-site Property Management Team”, thus we fall under the “Exempt” clause.
I often counter with… “Well then… the tenants for the units in building #3 have sparking from their outlets at 2:30AM. HOW and WHOM handles that”?? 911??
Amazing how the phone rings and they have to go without answering!!
Morning, Michael. Hope to find you well.
I am sure you where referring to “The 6-disconnect rule.”
The term “6 throw rule” is a misnomer. I am sure you made a mistake.
The actual rule, found in the National Electrical Code NEC section 230.71, limits the number of service disconnecting means (disconnector, circuit breaker, or fuse) for a single service, either to 1 or to a maximum of 6.
The 6 throw rule is misleading. After 15 years at InterNACHI I still see this misinformation in threads.
Michael, when I run into your situation one possibility is the panel disconnect is on the metering equipment enclosure. The panel in question is a sub/remote/auxiliary panel.
The six throw rule is a widely used term. You could have easily seen that when you were doing your normal copy and paste.
I’ve only been here 13 years. The one consistent thing in those 13 years is you constantly posting misinformation and then playing the victim when you are called out. Stop being a dick!
You’re partially correct, the rule did exist in earlier code versions of Article 230 up to the 2017 NEC so it may not be a mistake if you’re using an older code version. You likely didn’t have the correct wording in you search query. The 2020 NEC removed the six operations wording from Article 230 but it still remains in Article 225 in the 2020 and 2023 NEC.
2017 NEC:
230.71(B) Single-Pole Units. Two or three single-pole switches or breakers, capable of individual operation, shall be permitted on multiwire circuits, one pole for each ungrounded conductor, as one multipole disconnect, provided they are equipped with identified handle ties or a master handle to disconnect all conductors of the service with no more than six operations of the hand.
To paraphrase someone; Stop being a dick!
Just because it is commonly used, its wrong, slang. “The 6-disconnect rule.”
Read what Robert M has to say. As well, let others chime in. Stop giving wrong or practical information. You have a tendency to do that continually!
The “6 hand rule”, was based on a firefighter having no more than 6 swipes of their hand to kill ALL power coming into a facility.
Copy and paste from my files idiot! You think because I did not type it verbatim would make a difference???
The six disconnect rule per the 2017 version of NEC stated “The service disconnecting means for each service permitted by 230.2, or for each set of service-entrance conductors permitted by 230.40, Exception No. 1, 3, 4, or 5, shall consist of not more than six switches or sets of circuit breakers, or a combination of not more than six switches and sets of circuit breakers, mounted
in a single enclosure, in a group of separate enclosures, or in or on a switchboard or in switchgear.” This simply stated that only six breakers or disconnect means were permitted for branching out from a service. To ensure more safety, NEC came up with a 2020 version of
the six disconnect rule stating “Each service shall have only one disconnecting means unless the requirements of 230.71(B) are met.”
