Disconnect for Entire House...???

[bczygan]

So here is a disconnect I would like to use. Will it work to disconnect the main service distribution panel from the service?

http://www.gordonelectricsupply.com/index~text~974395~path~product~part~974395~ds~dept~process~search

It comes with the circuit breaker and lug kit.

I will have a 200A QO service panel. The purpose is to make the main panel dead when working on stuff in it without pulling the meter.

I see it is rated for outdoor use but would like to mount inside.

And will the main service distribution panel then be considered a subpanel and be required to have the green bonding screw removed?

Bill

 

[Norcal]

That enclosed circuit breaker would be the service disconnect where the neutral / ground would be bonded, and anything downstream would be a subpanel with a four wire feed.

 

[APEowner]

That seems like an unnecessarily complicated and expensive solution to a non problem to me. When you turn off the main breaker most of the panel is dead and it's not often that one needs to work in the panel anyway.

 

[Dirtydan69]

That seems like an unnecessarily complicated and expensive solution to a non problem to me. When you turn off the main breaker most of the panel is dead and it's not often that one needs to work in the panel anyway.

Was thinking the same thing.

 

[bczygan]

That seems like an unnecessarily complicated and expensive solution to a non problem to me. When you turn off the main breaker most of the panel is dead and it's not often that one needs to work in the panel anyway.

Was thinking the same thing.

You're not as skeerd of lectricity as I am. I tried to get them to shut down Fermi II so I could work.....but they wouldn't!

And I could pick it up for $40.

Bill

 

[colomboj]

That would work. But...
You will need to pull a permit.

Bring all your grounding electrode system to it, and you can't splice that stuff so that's all new. So the wire from the water meter needs to land in there, as well as the ground rods. If you have a pipe, plate, rebar, ground ring, or building steel it needs to land there as well.

Pull a new ground wire from that main disconnect to the sub panel. So you have some grounding there.

Pull the bond screw from the panel, so the existing neutral rails will float, and then add a couple ground bars. After that you have to separate the grounds and neutrals because being bonded twice is asking for trouble.

Then have it inspected again so the poco will plug your meter back in.

So... The buss is all dead when you shut off the main and the only thing you could get nicked off are the lugs so just buy some lug covers and snap them over the conductors. That's the new cool they put in panel boards these days now that they made them all mandatory in the new NEC.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Its way more work than youre contemplating.

The feed to your current service panel MUST be changed to 4-wire.

Also the GEC for your electrode as well as the metal water lines needs to be moved to this new disconnect.

A ground bar or 2 will need to be added and the neutral bonding screw needs to be removed. Then all EGCs on neutral bar(s) need to be moved as well.

What type of wire feeds the current panel from the meter? Is it accessable?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Pull a new ground wire from that main disconnect to the sub panel. So you have some grounding there.

That is NOT code compliant unless the existing feeder is in pipe.

If OP has SEU between meter and panel, he will have to run a brand new cable.

 

[bczygan]

Existing feed from the OH service drop, and including the new 200A main service panel will all be new. Then all wiring in the house will be upgraded to grounded and brought up to code.

Present panel is 2 30A main fuses.

Bill

 

[theoldwizard1]

That seems like an unnecessarily complicated and expensive solution to a non problem to me. When you turn off the main breaker most of the panel is dead and it's not often that one needs to work in the panel anyway.

Every sparky I know would just pull the meter.

 

[APEowner]

You're not as skeerd of lectricity as I am. I tried to get them to shut down Fermi II so I could work.....but they wouldn't!

And I could pick it up for $40.

Bill

I get that and, I don't want to criticize someone for being cautious with something that could, under the right circumstances kill them but you may be taking it a bit too far.

The buss is all dead when you shut off the main and the only thing you could get nicked off are the lugs so just buy some lug covers and snap them over the conductors. That's the new cool they put in panel boards these days now that they made them all mandatory in the new NEC.

If you're thinking of replacing the panel anyway this really seems to address your concerns. Or, if they're available for your current panel just buy the lug covers.

 

[Stuff]

Need to go to Canada. Service part of panel has its own cover.

 

[bczygan]

I get that and, I don't want to criticize someone for being cautious with something that could, under the right circumstances kill them but you may be taking it a bit too far.



If you're thinking of replacing the panel anyway this really seems to address your concerns. Or, if they're available for your current panel just buy the lug covers.

Can't find them....

Panel is 200A QO.

QO3040M200VP

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Square-D-QO-200-Amp-30-Space-40-Circuit-Indoor-Main-Breaker-Load-Center-with-Cover-Value-Pack-QO3040M200VP/202523118

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Existing feed from the OH service drop, and including the new 200A main service panel will all be new. Then all wiring in the house will be upgraded to grounded and brought up to code.

Present panel is 2 30A main fuses.

Bill

That new panel will no longer be the main service panel because of the disconnect.

It will be a subpanel.

 

[sberry]

Its hard to help some people.

 

[mm08822]

Is the air compressor running yet?

 

[Wirepuller]

That is NOT code compliant unless the existing feeder is in pipe.



If OP has SEU between meter and panel, he will have to run a brand new cable.

This. OP you're really over complicating things.


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[bczygan]

What do lug covers look like?

 

[Wirepuller]

Existing feed from the OH service drop, and including the new 200A main service panel will all be new. Then all wiring in the house will be upgraded to grounded and brought up to code.

Present panel is 2 30A main fuses.

Bill

Forget the disco you posted just buy a meter pan with 200a breaker installed. They're short money.


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[bczygan]

Forget the disco you posted just buy a meter pan with 200a breaker installed. They're short money.


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Not sure they're approved here.

 

[Wirepuller]

Not sure they're approved here.

I can't see why they wouldn't be. Correct me if I'm wrong but it sounds like you would be installing;

200 overhead service to a single phase meter socket,

200 amp fused disconnect located inside,

Then to a 200 main lug panel?



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[wyliesdiesels]

Not sure they're approved here.

I cant imagine a meter combination panel would NOT be approved by your AHJ.

 

[AntonLargiader]

If you're replacing the fuse box anyway, you're in for some rewiring so I don't see the big deal in installing this disconnect. You'll be installing new 4-wire either way.

Where will the new panel be relative to where the service enters the house? How far in will it be?

I would install it, but I'd put it outside the house.

 

[manwithtools]

If you're replacing the fuse box anyway, you're in for some rewiring so I don't see the big deal in installing this disconnect. You'll be installing new 4-wire either way.

Where will the new panel be relative to where the service enters the house? How far in will it be?

I would install it, but I'd put it outside the house.

In Detroit? No thank you. I'd install one, but I'd put it inside next to the panel if you are doing your own wok and want to avoid calling the POCO every time you want to do some work.

 

[AntonLargiader]

I'm not aware that the entire city of Detroit is a lawless hellhole where you can't have an outside disconnect, but that's the O.P.'s call.

 

[manwithtools]

Read any of bczygan 's posts? I think he might have an opinion on that....

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Put a lock on it, give one key to PoCo and one to fire department.

 

[Norcal]

Put a lock on it, give one key to PoCo and one to fire department.

If the FD needs to get in, a bolt cutter or a pair of dykes will remedy access problems.

Dykes will cut the tab that a padlock goes through, bend it, lock is off, bend it back & the cover on any NEMA 3R loadcenter, or circuit breaker enclosure is open.

 

[manwithtools]

If the FD needs to get in, a bolt cutter or a pair of dykes will remedy access problems.

Dykes will cut the tab that a padlock goes through, bend it, lock is off, bend it back & the cover on any NEMA 3R loadcenter, or circuit breaker enclosure is open.

Amen to that...

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[arkieguide]

I suggest you use a combination meter base and main disconnect.The main disconnects the entire service from your house and main panel. yes, you will probably need a licensed electrician to do this for you, unless you are qualified to do it. good luck.