approved disconnects [RE-wrenches]

Tue Apr 3 23:19:43 PDT 2001

We've also used the air conditioing type pull out disconnect switches. We 
didn't ask permission, we just installed one on a job to see if they 
complained. They didn't, so now we consider them "accepted" although they 
do not have the visible lever. (We would argue that the pull out can be 
locked ont the handle, creating a visible signal.) Plus, it was recommended 
to us by none other than John Wiles.

This unit is about $14, but we still need to get wire to and from it. We 
typically just bring the hot leg out, unless we're passing by that spot 
anyway. This lets us use a piece of 6/2 (or 6/3) romex, sleeved in conduit 
for the outside piece. Or SE wire, but that seems like overkill for 60 
amps.

We don't see the devices used, except when the utility comes out to do 
their "test" (operate the handle several times, never look inside). Our is 
behind an impenetrable snow bank right now (it's next to the meter, which 
is also behind the snow bank.) Haivng just had three extended outages, w  
e're pretty sure they're never going to check it. Pretty much a waste of 
money. Either that or all the union electricians are following unsafe work 
practices. I guess I'll need to file a complaint with our Public Service 
Board.

Jeff

Jeffery D. Wolfe, P.E.
Global Resource Options, LLP
A Woman-Owned Vermont Limited Liability Partnership
4 Kibling Hill Road
P.O. Box 51
Strafford, VT 05072
802/765-4632
802/765-9983 (Fax)
global at sover.net
http://www.globalresourceoptions.com

----------
From: 	Doug Pratt[SMTP:dpratt at pacific.net]
Reply To: 	RE-wrenches at topica.com
Sent: 	Wednesday, April 04, 2001 1:55 AM
To: 	RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: 	Re: approved disconnects [RE-wrenches]

William Miller wrote:

> My experience has been that PG&E requires a disconnect with an external
> handle so it is visible without opening the cover, and it must be 
adjacent
> to the meter.  I did talk PG&E into approving a disconnect about 8 feet
> away from a meter on condition there be a plaque adjacent to the meter
> indicating the location of the disconnect.

PG&E is the ONLY utility that has been requiring a lockable disconnect, and
even then, my experience has been that it depends on the area and the PG&E
representative. I've participated on several jobs in Northern California 
where
they never asked for a disconnect, and were perfectly happy to let us turn 
the
system on without it. One job had a 7 kw array! If they don't ask...don't
offer!
-Doug Pratt

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