Electric Service Inspection

[Uncle Bob]

New building; call for electric service inspection for meter.

Inside; an empty panel box; outside a breaker box and meter box.

If passed; Utility will install meter and provide power to building.

No other wiring, boxes, outlets, ect. in building. Electrical in building to be installed later.

Is this normal in your jurisdiction?

Uncle Bob

 

[Coug Dad]

Re: Electric Service Inspection

Is that how they do power for construction?

 

[Heaven]

Re: Electric Service Inspection

That would be typical here. Usually there is a temp power set up to work off of (we don't approve or inspect those), but the service equipment gets inspected by the building department. So we basically look for the two required grounds and then clearances above grade, around openings, , mast height, , etc. Then an electric rough, and the panel at final. Any suggestions would be welcome.

 

[chris kennedy]

Re: Electric Service Inspection

Inside; an empty panel box; outside a breaker box and meter box.

Were the service entrance conductors and feeder conductors installed? Where all feeders and branch circuits installed in the outside enclosure? Is there a main in the outside enclosure? If these conditions are met I would have no problem lighting the fuse.

 

[Uncle Bob]

Re: Electric Service Inspection

Thanks,

I guess it's a regional thing; because I've never seen a meter installed and electric power to an empty building; before the electric rough.

Uncle Bob

 

[Mac]

Re: Electric Service Inspection

I usually find a temporary service panel with a couple of outlets for use during construction. The temp panel is inspected with the service rough, and is removed upon completion of the building.

 

[steveray]

Re: Electric Service Inspection

We will often do it that way for construction purposes. They usually put a 4 gang GFI at the panel for tools and such, and it gives them somewhere to pull wire to. With further inspection at roughs and final.

 

[jim baird]

Re: Electric Service Inspection

I have OK'd meter base with outside disco and nothing built out beyond. It helps the electrician move along on rewiring really old houses for instance.

 

[earshavewalls]

We will only issue service releases if a tenant is present at a location. Until then, they use temp power from a temp pole or pedestal. We have not had any complaints, so it must be OK with the contractors. The only reason to heat up a panel with no load on it is for someone to come along and start adding loads without permits.............that's the only reason I can think of. Otherwise, a temp service should be just fine. That's on commercial projects. On housing, SFD's, I think it may have been done in Arizona (they used portable gensets usually anyway) on a few larger homes, but not at all here in California.

I guess it's up to your comfort level. If you feel good about it, why not? It's a local call, anyway.

 

[chris kennedy]

We will only issue service releases if a tenant is present at a location..

That would never fly here. The mechanical contractors would never get a final if I didn't have power to their equipment. Their inspectors need to see such things as elevator recall, AC shut down, and commercial Ansel system activation. So we pull a separate permit for 30 day temp for test.

 

[Bryan Holland]

I know of at least two jurisdictions here in the state of Florida that require "pre-power final inspections" on 1&2 family dwellings. That is, the entire scope of work must be 100% complete before the service is permitted to be energized. Once that inspection has been approved, a second, "post-power final inspection: is conducted.

Most jurisdictions, however, allow the service to be energized at anypoint during the construction process as long as no circuits are enrgized with exposed wiring or open boxes. T-poles are only popular on large commercial sites in these parts.

 

[FredK]

Sounds like a temp power install. Only had that happen a couple of times around here. Power company then place meter with 2 GFCI recs on. No power to panel.

This is from the local electric co as part of cutting air pollution:

Temporary power

SRP offers home developers the convenience, cost-savings and environmental benefits of temporary electric power over gas-powered generators during residential construction. The meter provides outlets for construction power without energizing the main power panel. When the homeowners are ready to move in, a permanent meter is easily installed.

 

[Yikes]

That would never fly here. The mechanical contractors would never get a final if I didn't have power to their equipment. Their inspectors need to see such things as elevator recall, AC shut down, and commercial Ansel system activation. So we pull a separate permit for 30 day temp for test.

I think the OP's issue was that there wasn't ANY rough in: not for elevator, Ansel, fire alarm, etc.

I agree that "shell core" projects will need power and permit prior to tenant T.I., but usually there is at least one circuit roughed-in that justifies this.