Main disconnect when not required?

[AntonLargiader]

A friend is moving the main panel in her single-family house during a remodel. The panel (on the main floor) is only moving a few feet but it will apparently be pretty much back-to-back with the meter, and she is planning to go straight through from the meter box and have the panel be the main disconnect. Pretty sure there is no main disconnect now either.

It got me thinking about having a main disconnect on the outside of the house or not. In my home it's required, but even if it weren't I think I would want it to be there as a positive way for me or the FD to kill power to everything in the house. Clearly not having one is simpler and less expensive.

How often do you pros see one or install one when it isn't required? And what are your thoughts on having one in that case?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

A main disconnect IS required if there are more than 6 breaker handles.

So her install may be very old or not up to code.

she should put one in.

Check with the AHJ to see if they have any local amendments.

 

[sberry]

Basically if the meter is on the other side of the wall you don't need an outside disconnect.

 

[larry4406]

If outside main disconnect, anyone can turn your power off. Thieves, vandals, etc.

In the houses I build, all our panels have a main disconnect, but the disconnect is in the panel on the inside of the home.

 

[alfredeneuman]

Outdoor disconnects and breaker enclosures all come with provisions for a padlock so you keep villains from turning the power. Fire Departments needing access in case of an emergency will just take an axe to the lock.

 

[reader2580]

I live in Minnesota and I don't recall ever seeing a house with an outside AC disconnect for the main. (Disconnects for air conditioners are common of course.)

I was just talking to the local fire chief about this recently. I am working to add solar to my house and wanted to know if the fire dept has requirements for extra disconnects or anything. They do not require anything special for solar systems.

It came up that the fire dept will not pull the meter at a fire. If they can't get into the house to turn off the main breaker and they are worried about electrocution they will let the fire burn until the power company can send someone to disconnect power.

 

[AntonLargiader]

If outside main disconnect, anyone can turn your power off. Thieves, vandals, etc.

... the fire dept will not pull the meter at a fire. If they can't get into the house to turn off the main breaker and they are worried about electrocution they will let the fire burn until the power company can send someone to disconnect power.

Thanks guys for actually addressing my question. I've read the vandalism concern before; I guess I tend to think that anyone wanting to maliciously turn off power can pull the meter pretty easily as well. Is this really a concern? Oh wait, Larry's in NoVa...

Fire more what I'm thinking of. You're not the first person who has posted that FDs no longer pull meters.

But no one has really said, would you want one or not, given the choice, for a single family home? What would be the deciding factor for you?

 

[rburke65]

I suppose there would be a concern pulling the meter under a load if one was unexperienced.

 

[reader2580]

I suspect the concern for firefighters pulling meters would be arc flash if the meter was pulled while there was a heavy load. The person from the power company should have the proper gear to protect from arc flash.

I wouldn't install an outside main disconnect on a house if not required. The chances are greater that someone would fool with it at some point than it would ever help in a fire situation. I would probably rather have my house burn to the ground and just start over than deal with months of repairs to a burned out shell.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

The majority of homes in cali have outside meter mains and it is very rare for someone to mess with the main disconnect or branch breakers for that matter.