James Rice wrote:
snip > but in this area (Texas) the > meter almost always backs up to the load center with the main leads fed > through a pipe nipple directly into the load center. So the only means > of disconnecting the power to the main breaker in the load center is > pulling the meter. If the distance between the meter and the load center is only a wall inbetween, then a main disconnect requirement is exempt in our municipality. Even if this was the case, I think a main disconnect is a good idea and I would install one. During an upgrade, if a service entrance cable has to travel any amount of distance to the load center, then definitely a main disconnect is a requirement, at least in our town and more then likely the same in most towns/cities. In reality, it is encouraged or suggested that a main disconnect is installed irregardless of the situation. The inspector likes to see this even if one is not required. I buried three ground rods, although only two are required. - Inspector liked that also. > Laws vary, but anti-tampering laws in Texas may get > your power cut off permanently if a home owner cuts the seal and pulls > his/her own meter without holding a valid electrical license. Not to > mention I really hate seeing home owners poke around in a live meter > base. Flash burns can be really nasty. James, I am not suggesting anything illegal, and certainly NOT tampering with a power company seal. I don't have to resort to something like that because there is a main disconnect. If I didn't have one, the power company certainly would be summoned to pull the meter, but they will NOT do so unless there is a permit issued for whatever work is being done that makes it necessary to pull the meter. The work would be inspected. > There are exceptions for a homeowner who is installing and/or upgrading > the service to their own home, but the rules also vary from town to > town. One of my main gripes about electrical licensing in Texas was the > local codes varied way too much from city to city. Always check with > the code enforcement authorities in you home city first. In our town, they permit work being done by homeowners, which is catagorized as "SELF" but still has to meet the same code and subject to inspection. The homeowner signs a notarized affadavid saying he/she will be responsible for performing work that meets the standards/codes, and the work has to be performed by said person. I am posting this to make sure nobody is mistaking my previous post as suggesting that anyone do anything that is not kosher. Sorry about this WAAAY off topic post. Alan. --------- -- SuperMacs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | Service & Replacement Parts [EMAIL PROTECTED] | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> SuperMacs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/supermacs/list.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/supermacs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> --------------------------------------------------------------- >The Think Different Store http://www.ThinkDifferentStore.com ---------------------------------------------------------------
