I am filling out an inspection report on a 1979 condo. The main disconnect is at the meter in a central utility room which also contains the meters and disconnects for the other 8 condos in the building. The meter room is 100 feet from the subject condo. Is the panel inside the condo considered the main panel or a sub-panel? There is no main disconnect in the condo’s panel so it would take more than 6 hand motions to turn off the power from inside the condo. Can the remote disconnect in the utility room satisfy the less than 6 hand motions rule to disconnect the power for the condo?
Also there are 2 double taps in the panel which I plan to write-up, however I’m not sure if I should write-up the drywall finish overspray which could also be on the non-visible busbar under the breakers and cause heatup due to a poor contact. I just say an educational video which said this could be a problem, though it’s probably been that way since 1979 and not caused a problem yet. What do you think? Note: Panel photo attached.
Normally, the panel containing the disconnect (even if that is the only breaker) is the considered to be the main panel and any downstream are sub-panels (some call them remote distribution panels), subject to the rules governing them.
If we lose the word “main,” it becomes much less confusing.
There is “service” equipment, and there is “other” equipment. The service equipment contains the service disconnect, which also disconnects power from other equipment. A service disconnect (six or less throws) is required only at the service equipment. Other equipment does not fall under the “six throw rule” (exceptions do apply).
