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#95819 10/09/05 02:05 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,233
H
Member
Her's a question, think about a strip mall with 6 stores. There is a main service pipe which runs into a trough. There is 6 meters all nippled off of the trough with the service cable (SEU Type)going into each store. Inside of each store is a service panel with a main breaker. Considering all of the wire sizes is correct and all of the grounding conductors are correct. The question comes, Can you connect the neutrals and the #6 exterior grounding conductor and the interior grounding conductor (that goes to the interior water pipe and is sized as per the service)inside of the trough? Can they all be connected with a split bolt connector? Or can they all be connected to a terminal bar inside of the trough?

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#95820 10/09/05 04:01 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,507
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I think what you are discribing is a single service. maybe you could look at 250.64(D). If you agree then the GEC must be unspliced and the taps can be with split bolts if you'd like.


George Little
#95821 10/09/05 04:19 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,507
G
Member
Look also at 230.40 Exception No.1 and see if that fits what I said about one service.


George Little
#95822 10/09/05 09:23 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
Member
When I saw guys do things like this they used the "X" hole Ilsco or similar tap and I was OK with it. (a virtual terminal bar IMHO)
I agree with George, If the GEC is continuous and the neutrals tap off with split bolts it is still OK.


Greg Fretwell
#95823 10/10/05 09:46 AM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,233
H
Member
George and Greg,

Thank you for the replies, however I think the question that the EC was trying to ask me, Is it OK to make the connection between the neutrals and GEC in the trough, or do you have to bring the GEC inside to each service panel through out the whole strip mall? BTW, we are still using the 2002 NEC,(I haven't even opened the 2005 yet.)
We will assume that the GEC is unspliced, but what about accessibility? If the POCO locks the trough is it still accessible? I think this was also one of his concerns.

#95824 10/10/05 12:19 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
Member
They consider the inside of the meter can "accessible" (for the GEC) here. I assume other AHJs could have another opinion.


Greg Fretwell
#95825 10/11/05 08:11 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,233
H
Member
Greg,

Well that is one of the questions the EC asked me. Would I accept the meter pan ( Or in this case a trough) that can be locked by the Poco, "Accessible"? My first thought was, No. But on second thought the code doesn't say "Readily Accessible". SO, is the inside of a meter pan (or trough)"Accessible"? Well maybe, yes.

#95826 10/11/05 09:46 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
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I suppose it really depends on your PoCo. Around here FPL is OK with a licensed contractor cutting a seal if they have a reasonable story. I did it as a homeowner with a permit.
They told me I could have also done it with a "bad main breaker" story or a "tighten up the neutral/ground) story if I said I was a contractor.

I do have a way of getting information out of the girls on the phone tho. [Linked Image]


Greg Fretwell
#95827 10/12/05 08:11 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,233
H
Member
Greg,

Gee, I have heard that you were the Don Johnson of Fort Meyers there in Fla.. I think it was the Wiz or th Sheriff who told me that!
How did you make out with the hurricanes this year?
Caper

#95828 10/12/05 10:58 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
Member
This year hurricanes were nothing on this coast.
We had a couple go 100 miles south of us but no big deal.
It has been raining a lot so Judy is having a time getting her footers poured but other than that she is rolling right along. Since she started her new community in Feb she has 76 out of the ground and 18 are in final trim ... without water or power. Prairie building!


Greg Fretwell

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