"Len56" wrote in message ...
"RBM" wrote in message
...

You typically install one service per building. It can have up to 6
disconnects, and as many meters as you need. It can also have just one
service disconnect feeding a bank of meters, then a main disconnect for
each of the sub panels , which you'll install in the apartments. The
tenants usually need access to their main disconnect, which would be
located at the service equipment. You can also install a main breaker in
the sub panels, but it wouldn't meet the requirement, and is pretty much
useless.

That's the part that I can't figure out. There will be new service to the
building (I called it 3 services before, but I meant one service that gets
split through 3 meters -- one for each apartment).

The meters will be on the outside of the building, because that is what is
required for any new electric service in my area. The meters all need to
about 5 or 6 feet above ground level on an outside wall.

The 3 apartments are on 3 different floors - Floor 1, Floor 2, and Floor
3.

I don't see how I can provide a main disconnect for the tenants near the 3
meters because that would mean their disconnects would be outside where
the meters are, or inside in a common area that they all could access
(which does not exist).

The only thing I can think of is that the service would come to the
building, go down to the meters on the outside wall (in the appropriate
type of conduit), then back up and into the building at three points --
one on each level for each apartment. Then, near where each apartment's
individual electric service enters the building, inside each apartment,
there would be a main breaker and individual breakers for that apartment.

I apologize for seeming to be so dense about all of this, and I do
appreciate you trying to explain it. It may be that I'll just have to
have the electrician "show me" in person.



*The most economical way is to bring the new service into the same area as
the existing service. That way all of the existing circuits can easily be
refed from the new service. To install a new panel in each apartment and
try to refeed the existing circuits from there can add up to a lot of work
and broken walls. Unless you are planning to gut the entire building and
put in all new wiring.

You could however install the new service and refeed the existing circuits
from the present location and in addition run a line up to a sub-panel in
each apartment for new circuits that will be added during your remodeling.