Main Electrical Disconnect Switch & Switch Location

How to inspect the main electrical disconnect - the "main switch" for defects
Electrical service switch or panel location errors
Requirement for main disconnect switch in electrical panels
The six breaker rule as main electrical panel disconnect
Electrical code citations regarding the main electrical disconnect at buildings
Questions & Answers about the main power switch or main disconnect switch at electrical panels
References

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This article summarizes inspection of the main electrical switch - the main switch at buildings and also outlines other electrical panel and switch defects that can be found by visual inspection.

Inspecting the Residential Electrical Main Disconnect Panel or "Box" for Defects

This article and others in the series discusses procedures for safe and effective visual inspection of residential electrical systems including electrical panels and other components, when the inspection is conducted by trained building inspection professionals, home inspectors, electrical inspectors, and electricians.\

Information in this electrical inspection article series was presented by Daniel Friedman - InspectApedia.com, and discussed by the Hudson Valley chapter of the American Society of Home Inspectors - HVASHI Seminar 12 Sept 2002, Updated April 2006, April 2009.

Readers of this article should also be sure to review Safety Hazards and Safe Electrical Inspection Procedures for Inspectors examining Residential Electrical Systems and should pay special attention to the following chapters from that article: Electrical Panel Interior Inspection - Removing Electric Panel Covers - Electrical Panel Cover Screws - Electrical Panel Interior Hazards - Testing Main Breakers or Fuses and Inspect Breakers, Fuses. Carson Dunlop's sketch at page top shows where the electrical inspection starts at a residential property.

Readers of this section should also see ELECTRIC PANEL AMPACITY.

Main control center for house
Integrated or separate service disconnect (main breaker or fuses) - need main disconnect if more than 6 switches

Electrical Service Box Location Defects

OK indoors our outside (if weather tight)
NOT OK bathroom, clothes closet, kitchen cabinets
Should Be at eye level, easily accessible, with 3 ft. working clearance

Inspecting the Electric Service Panel & Main Disconnect Switch for Condition Defects

The Implications: electrical shock or fire

Missing Main Disconnect Switch - note that at some installations the main disconnect may be located separately from the main electrical panel, particularly if the main electrical panel is distant from the electric meter (NEC Ref 1).
No main disconnect switch in electrical panels with six or more breakers. If the "six-breaker" rule is allowed locally, the six switches must be together in the same panel enclosure.
That is, if six or fewer breakers are in the main panel, that panel can be counted as a service disconnect (NEC Ref 2).
We and others believe this requirement originated with fire fighting departments, to assure that no more than six manual operations would be required to turn off electrical power in an emergency. Note that local jurisdictions and codes may require that a single main switch be provided. - Ed.
Poor access to the electrical panel; panel not secured
Rust, corrosion in the electrical panel or main disconnect
Overheating signs in the electrical panel or main disconnect enclosure
Over fusing or box rating too small for the service entry wiring or building or circuit load
Inappropriate. mounting surface for the electrical panel or main disconnect / not secure
Damaged electrical panel or main disconnect parts
Poor electrical panel or main disconnect connections, poor wiring
Illegal taps at the electrical panel or main disconnect
Neutral wire (grounded conductor) defects such as bonding the neutral and ground in a sub panel (see photo and see Case History:Loss of Neutral Shocks Homeowner)
Fused, bypasses box, fused upstream
Obsolete electrical panel, breakers, disconnect, equipment or unsafe equipment - examples:
Classified CIRCUIT BREAKER WARNING
FEDERAL PACIFIC FPE HAZARDS
SQUARE-D RECALLS
ZINSCO / SYLVANIA HAZARDS,
Exterior, electrical panel or main disconnect not weather tight
Specific Electrical Panel Product Defects, see additional articles listed at left and below

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Technical Reviewers & References

Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.

U.S. National Electrical Code, NEC Reference (1): [QUOTING 2008 NEC]
National Electric Code is Article 225 Part II.
225.31 Disconnecting Means. Means shall be provided for disconnecting all ungrounded conductors that supply or pass through the building or structure.
225.32 Location. The disconnecting means shall be installed either inside or outside of the building or structure served or where the conductors pass through the building or structure. The disconnecting means shall be at a readily accessible location nearest the point of entrance of the conductors. For the purposes of this section, the
requirements in 230.6 shall be utilized.
VI. Service Equipment - Disconnecting Means
230.70 General. Means shall be provided to disconnect all conductors in a building or other structure from the service entrance conductors.
(A) Location. The· service disconnecting means shall be installed in accordance with 230.70(A)(l), (A)(2), and
(A)(3).
(1) Readily Accessible Location. The service disconnecting means shall be installed at a readily accessible location
either outside of a building or structure or inside nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors.
(2) Bathrooms. Service disconnecting means shall not be installed in bathrooms.
(3) Remote Control. Where a remote control device(s) is used to actuate the service disconnecting means, the service disconnecting means shall be located in accordance with 230.70(A)(1).
(D) Marking. Each service disconnect shall be permanently marked to identify it as a service disconnect.
(C) Suitable for Use. Each service disconnecting means shall be suitable for the prevailing conditions. Service
equipment installed in hazardous (classified) locations shall comply with the requirements of Articles 500 through 517
U.S. National Electrical Code NEC Reference (2): Requirement for main circuit breaker if more than six switches in the panel: See NEC Section 230-71.
Article 225: A readily accessible disconnect is required at the remote building, located either outside or nearest the point of entrance inside [225-8]. There shall be no more than six disconnects mounted in a single enclosure, or up to six separate enclosures [230-71]. The disconnects must be grouped and each disconnect must be marked to indicate the load served [110-22 and 230-72].
1993 NEC (Quoting from Orlando Florida Code of Ordinances, web search 01/18/2011, original source:
http://search.municode.com/html/13349/level3/TITIICICO_
CH22ELCO_ARTIIINAELCOAM.html#TITIICICO_CH22ELCO_
ARTIIINAELCOAM_S22.49SE230-71NAELCOAM
Section 230-71 of the National Electrical Code of 1993 is amended to read as follows: (a) No building shall have more than six (6) operations of the hand for a main disconnecting means. (b) Commercial buildings. The 100A or over service disconnecting means shall comply with Article 230 of the National Electrical Code and shall be installed on the outside of the building as near the point of entrance of service wires as possible considering the type of building and accessibility in case of fire or other reason for opening the service switch and disconnecting the building. Upon special application to the inspecting authority, before any work is started, approval may be granted for the meter and/or service disconnecting means to be installed inside the building if accessible and available for meter reading, servicing and disconnecting in case of emergencies. (c) On commercial or residential buildings, if the service disconnecting means is not readily apparent on the exterior of the building, it shall be properly indicated by a reasonable sign constructed of permanent materials with no less than one and one-half (1½) inches high letters designating its exact location. The sign shall be located on the exterior of the building at the service doorway. If the service disconnecting means is located at a point that is not accessible and available for meter reading, servicing, and disconnecting in case of emergencies, there shall be a shunt trip switch installed and so noted as above. (d) Where a property comprises more than one building under single management or in multiple occupancy buildings, a separate switch at service entrance equipment for each building must be installed (it may be a toggle switch) to disconnect the "House Lighting" circuits. This switch may be locked. It shall have an indicating sign at or on the switch.
Outside electrical service feeder wires: see Article 225, not Article 230 (Service conductors).
* Safety Hazards and Safe Inspection Procedures for Electrical and Home Inspectors at Residential Electric Panels

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.

The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.

Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.

Building inspection education & report writing systems from Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd

Recommended books on electrical inspection, electrical wiring, electrical problem diagnosis, and electrical repair can be found in the Electrical Books section of the InspectAPedia Bookstore. (courtesy of Amazon.com)
Rust and Corrosion in Electrical Panels, A Study and Report on Frequency and Cause for Electrical and Home Inspectors at Residential Electric Panels
"Electrical System Inspection Basics," Richard C. Wolcott, ASHI 8th Annual Education Conference, Boston 1985.
"Simplified Electrical Wiring," Sears, Roebuck and Co., 15705 (F5428) Rev. 4-77 1977 [Lots of sketches of older-type service panels.]
"How to plan and install electric wiring for homes, farms, garages, shops," Montgomery Ward Co., 83-850.
"Simplified Electrical Wiring," Sears, Roebuck and Co., 15705 (F5428) Rev. 4-77 1977 [Lots of sketches of older-type service panels.]
"Home Wiring Inspection," Roswell W. Ard, Rodale's New Shelter, July/August, 1985 p. 35-40.
"Evaluating Wiring in Older Minnesota Homes," Agricultural Extension Service, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108.
"Electrical Systems," A Training Manual for Home Inspectors, Alfred L. Alk, American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), 1987, available from ASHI. [DF NOTE: I do NOT recommend this obsolete publication, though it was cited in the original Journal article as it contains unsafe inaccuracies]
"Basic Housing Inspection," US DHEW, S352.75 U48, p.144, out of print, but is available in most state libraries.
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