Main Panel Location

[chuck Miller]

Is it OK to have the main panel located on a second floor? I was under the impression that to shut off all power, it had to be basement or first floor

 

[fatboy]

Where is the building disconnect? What type of occupancy?

 

[chuck Miller]

Where is the building disconnect? What type of occupancy?

It is a single home, 2 story. The only main shut off is main panel on second floor bedroom.

 

[SCBO1]

No disconnect next to the meter socket?

Is the 2nd floor panel a main or a sub-panel fed by four wires?

 

[steveray]

Is it OK to have the main panel located on a second floor? I was under the impression that to shut off all power, it had to be basement or first floor

There is not a restriction per se, but the disconnect should be outside or inside nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors....

 

[jar546]

Is it existing or brand new in PA?
Does the conduit or cable from the meter stay on the outside of the house until it enters the 2nd floor?
Is the service disconnect on the 2nd floor on an exterior wall?

 

[fatboy]

Not sure what Residential Code PA uses, but this is from the 2021 IRC:

E3601.8 Emergency disconnects. For one- and two-family
dwelling units, all service conductors shall terminate in
disconnecting means having a short-circuit current rating
equal to or greater than the available fault current, installed
in a readily accessible outdoor location.

 

[Mr. Inspector]

PA is still on the 2018 IRC. We were supposed to go to the 2021 July 13 but it was changed to an unknown secret date.
I doesn't matter on what floor it is as long it is close to where the service comes in the building.

 

[Paul Sweet]

New or existing? The electric utility usually has restrictions on how far the disconnect can be from the meter.