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Grouping of disconnects for townhouses

Then the disconnects would make more sense to be at the panel in each townhouse, IMHO. The disconnect can't be readily accessible if it is on someone else's property.
 
jar546 said:
So what is the consensus?If there is a 4 unit townhouse and they install a 2 gang meter on the left side and a 2 gang meter on the right side, do each of the 2 gang services have to have grouped disconnects?
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jar546 said:
There are 2 service drops for 4 units. Read 230.71 please
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230.71 deals with the maximum number of disconnects for a single service.

4 townhomes would be 4 separate building and each could have a separate service.

So, short NEC answer the 2 2gang meter/disconnect packs would not need to be grouped.

Chris
 
Townhouses are separate buildings so they should have separate services, not located on neighboring townhouses.
 
raider1 said:
230.71 deals with the maximum number of disconnects for a single service.4 townhomes would be 4 separate building and each could have a separate service.

So, short NEC answer the 2 2gang meter/disconnect packs would not need to be grouped.

Chris
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I have flip flopped on this subject more than once. I have called the NFPA and was told they need to be grouped. That of course is one person's opinion. I have contacted the ICC and nothing was resolved.

After reading it over and over and dissecting it yet again, I am in agreement with Chris in his post.

Does not need to be grouped in the instance of the townhouse, even if they put 4 meters off of one drop on one end.

Grouping not required.
 
TJacobs said:
Townhouses are separate buildings so they should have separate services, not located on neighboring townhouses.
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The location of the disconnect is what determines the premises ("building" is not the correct term since the premises wiring is not limited to the building itself).

If the disconnect is on the end of a structure containing four townhouses, then the premises wiring begins at that point. The wires between the disconnecting means and the building just happen to be exterior.

Some jurisdictions require townhouses to have clustered disconnects to facilitate fire-fighting operations.
 
brudgers said:
The location of the disconnect is what determines the premises ("building" is not the correct term since the premises wiring is not limited to the building itself).If the disconnect is on the end of a structure containing four townhouses, then the premises wiring begins at that point. The wires between the disconnecting means and the building just happen to be exterior.

Some jurisdictions require townhouses to have clustered disconnects to facilitate fire-fighting operations.
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I'd argue that a disconnect located on someone else's property was not available for the tenant (or could become unavailable easily)
 
That's what easements are for.

Besides in this sort of arrangement the remote disconnect is at the meter - there is a second disconnect at the main panel in or on the unit.

Seriously, grouping the disconnects on a multi-building structure allows the fire service to cut power to adjacent dwellings and limits the likelihood of the disconnect being difficult to access because maintaining clearance becomes a function of the HOA.

I've even seen grouped services on a free-standing panel in common areas between multi-building structures.
 
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