InterNACHI


Go Back   InterNACHI Message Board > Specific Inspection Topics > Electrical

Notices

Electrical Contains discussions about electrical systems. This includes outlets, panels, wiring, et cetera.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 9/9/06, 3:16 PM
Bill Smith's Avatar
Bill Smith Bill Smith is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: East Northport, NY
Posts: 706
Default Amp Rating of Fused Disconnect

I inspected a fourplex today in Brooklyn. The main disconnect was a switch with two knife blade 150-amp cartridge fuses that were fed with 1/0 copper cable (175-amps). The panel label stated that it was rated for 200-amps. Since the fuses were the lowest rated component, shouldn't the overall rating of the panel be 150-amps?
Attached Thumbnails
amp-rating-fused-disconnect-dscf1908.jpg  



"A man cannot be truly grateful and remain unhappy"
http://www.SmithHomeInspection.com
SmithHomeInspection@yahoo.com
NY State Lic. # 16000008304
631-434-5200
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 9/9/06, 3:38 PM
Speedy Petey Speedy Petey is offline
Unmoderated Guest
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,294
Please Note: Speedy Petey is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
Default Re: Amp Rating of Fused Disconnect

It should but it doesn't have to be.
A panel is limited to 42 breaker poles. Any panel.
The 150 is your main disconnect. It does not matter how many breakers this 150 amps serves, even if these breakers are in a 200 amp rated panel.
What matters is the calculated load.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 9/9/06, 3:47 PM
Larry D. Kage Larry D. Kage is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Lake Ann (Traverse City), MI
Posts: 6,334
Default Re: Amp Rating of Fused Disconnect

As a HI, with Bill's supplied info, I would call it 150 amps.



____________________________________________
"An Education, not just an Inspection"

Larry Kage, CMI
Lake Ann (Traverse City), Michigan 49650
231 929 3525


Professional Inspector and Infrared Thermographer serving the Traverse City, Michigan area and beyond.


ITC/FLIR CERTIFIED BUILDING SCIENCES THERMOGRAPHER

ITC/FLIR CERTIFIED LEVEL 1 THERMOGRAPHER
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 9/9/06, 4:38 PM
Jeffrey R. Pope's Avatar
Jeffrey R. Pope Jeffrey R. Pope is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Santa Clarita, CA
Posts: 5,431
Default Re: Amp Rating of Fused Disconnect

Quote:
Originally Posted by bsmith
Since the fuses were the lowest rated component, shouldn't the overall rating of the panel be 150-amps?
Speedy gave the correct answer based on this question.

However, the question should have been - "what is the service capacity?"

Based on the information provided by Bill, the service capacity is 150 amps.



IF YOUR INSPECTOR IS NOT USING THERMAL IMAGING, YOU'RE NOT GETTING THE WHOLE PICTURE ®
Jeff Pope
JPI Home Inspection Service
Santa Clarita CA
(661) 212-0738
Santa Clarita Home Inspection
http://www.MyInspector.net
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 9/9/06, 6:19 PM
Paul W. Abernathy's Avatar
Paul W. Abernathy Paul W. Abernathy is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Harrisonburg, VA
Posts: 7,688
Send a message via AIM to pabernathy Send a message via MSN to pabernathy Send a message via Skype™ to pabernathy
Default Re: Amp Rating of Fused Disconnect

I agree guys...DO NOT get involved in anything to do with Calculations......Just refer to it as the Service Capacity and in this case the weakest link applies...



Paul W. Abernathy,CMI,CEI,CEPE
National Electrical Code Expert-ONLY
Weekly Live Chat :http://www.theelectricalguru.com/chat.html
Weekly Chat on Mondays & Wednesdays -8PM E.S.T
* Notice- I will not be conducting any future seminars for the HI Industry. I am a CODE GUY so I will be focusing efforts on the NEC Code. If you have CODE question visit my website...if you have Electrical HI questions ask Nick or Ben Gromicko.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 9/9/06, 7:17 PM
Pierre Belarge Pierre Belarge is offline
Active Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 202
Please Note: Pierre Belarge is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
Default Re: Amp Rating of Fused Disconnect

Take a closer look at this picture. There are other issues I would be concerned with than the size of the service......


Hint:
GEC
line/load side of the fused blades.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 9/10/06, 1:16 AM
brian winkle brian winkle is offline
Active Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Arizona
Posts: 454
Please Note: brian winkle is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
Default Re: Amp Rating of Fused Disconnect

Pierre, I have seen a number of these discos fed backwards like this. Sometimes I think it is done for convienence, ie shorter conductor runs. Other than a 110-3 violation, do you see any problems that could arise from this installation? I suppose someone servicing the equipment could be injured if they took the wording alone for fact, but if they did then I wouldn't consider them qualified in the first place. Do you suppose if it weren't marked line and load it would still be wrong?
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 9/10/06, 10:44 AM
Bill Smith's Avatar
Bill Smith Bill Smith is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: East Northport, NY
Posts: 706
Default Re: Amp Rating of Fused Disconnect

Thank you all for your excellent replies.

Jeff- you always catch me on terminology - That is one of my weak points and I appreciate your input.

Pierre- The GEC is too small. There were numerous other issues with the system.



"A man cannot be truly grateful and remain unhappy"
http://www.SmithHomeInspection.com
SmithHomeInspection@yahoo.com
NY State Lic. # 16000008304
631-434-5200
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 9/10/06, 11:42 AM
Greg Fretwell Greg Fretwell is offline
Active Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Estero Florida
Posts: 1,798
Please Note: Greg Fretwell is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
Default Re: Amp Rating of Fused Disconnect

The problem is the fuse itself is hot with the disconnect off. That makes it dangerous to change. There would be a dead front cover over the line terminals on a new one.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 9/10/06, 12:42 PM
Bill Smith's Avatar
Bill Smith Bill Smith is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: East Northport, NY
Posts: 706
Default Re: Amp Rating of Fused Disconnect

Greg-

The disconnect is fed from the top - before the meters. I should have mentioned that earlier but I was more concerned with the service capacity. The system in general was a mess.



"A man cannot be truly grateful and remain unhappy"
http://www.SmithHomeInspection.com
SmithHomeInspection@yahoo.com
NY State Lic. # 16000008304
631-434-5200
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 9/10/06, 1:25 PM
Pierre Belarge Pierre Belarge is offline
Active Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 202
Please Note: Pierre Belarge is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
Default Re: Amp Rating of Fused Disconnect

The GEC is marked with white tape. White is not permitted as a color for the GEC. Also the GEC is required to be bonded to the enclosure where it enters or exits. This is usually performed by skinning the insulation at the fitting.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 9/10/06, 2:29 PM
jtedesco1 jtedesco1 is offline
Account Suspended Due to Excessive Complaints
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,908
Please Note: jtedesco1 is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
Default Re: Amp Rating of Fused Disconnect

I see a white MBJ wire, and lug where the jumpers are installed, and the short fuses. Is the switch rated at 200 amperes?

Free Electricity is available too, how were you able to get into the switch?

Last edited by jtedesco1; 11/24/06 at 1:24 PM..
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 9/10/06, 7:40 PM
Bill Smith's Avatar
Bill Smith Bill Smith is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: East Northport, NY
Posts: 706
Default Re: Amp Rating of Fused Disconnect

The cover for the swich box opened with the removal of two screws. The service points were readily accessible as well.
Attached Thumbnails
amp-rating-fused-disconnect-dscf1907.jpg  



"A man cannot be truly grateful and remain unhappy"
http://www.SmithHomeInspection.com
SmithHomeInspection@yahoo.com
NY State Lic. # 16000008304
631-434-5200
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Exterior Service Disconnect Clearances? rcramer Electrical 18 7/28/07 1:12 PM
Well pump disconnect sfalvey Plumbing 0 11/17/06 12:23 AM
A/C Disconnect question rslocum HVAC 15 9/21/06 12:16 AM
100 Amp Meter, 200 Amp Disconnect jweinberg Electrical 8 8/15/06 12:32 PM
Disconnect and Main panel srowe Electrical 10 6/13/06 7:49 PM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 5:46 AM.


Popular Sections

:

All Sections

Popular

Membership

Inspection Standards

Education

Chapters & Members

Articles & Links

Other Organizations

 

 

 

NACHI.ORG Statistics

 

 

no new posts