Mike Dolt Enterprises
Mike Dolt Enterprises
User: rjdad82, Location: San Francisco Bay area
Asked on: Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 9:22 pm EDT
Answered on: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 4:25 am EDT
Question: my boss seems to think that the code says that one cannot use single pole circuit breakers in a meter panel for a single family dwelling. As i read it in 230.71(b) you can although it will be counted as one of the six disconnecting means, or one operation of the hand however you say it. Am i reading this correctly?
Yes, you are reading it correctly.NEC 230.71(b) states:> "In a single-family dwelling unit, the service disconnecting means shall be grouped at one accessible location where the branch-circuit equipment is located and shall be one of the following:>> (1) Circuit breakers>> (2) Circuit-breaker panelboards>> (3) Combination panelboards conforming to 384.16(A)>> (4) Fused service entrance switch>> (5) Service entrance fused switchboard>> (6) Meter socket with integral main disconnecting means"This section does not prohibit the use of single-pole circuit breakers in a meter panel for a single-family dwelling. However, if single-pole circuit breakers are used, they will count as one of the six disconnecting means or one operation of the hand required by NEC 230.71(a).Therefore, you are correct in your interpretation that single-pole circuit breakers can be used in a meter panel for a single-family dwelling, but they will be counted as one of the six disconnecting means. Flag for review