February 18, 2011
TO: All Licensed Electrical Contractors
RE: Residential Service Disconnects
After review and analysis of the NEC and IRC for
1 and 2 family dwellings and the maze of conflicting information left to interpretation it is our desire to communicate the
following:
Effective
immediately Service Disconnects will be required anytime a new panel service is provided including new construction.
This applies to all residential 1 and 2 family dwellings. From a safety and fire standpoint it would
be our preference to have service disconnects located outside. However, we recognize code provides for
internal installation.
IRC Chapter 35, E3501.6 “Service
disconnects required. Means shall be provided to disconnect all conductors in a building or other structure
from the service entrance conductors. Service disconnects shall be permanently marked as a service disconnect.
Service equipment shall be listed for this purpose. The service disconnecting means shall be installed at a
readily accessible location either outside of a building or inside nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors”.
This notice is to clarify our interpretation
of the building code and how it will be enforced. Again, this clarification is for 1 and 2 family dwellings.
We trust this notice meets with your approval and provides ample time incorporate this clarification
into your work.
Thank you
Steve Selvey
Tom Davis
Ty Goodpaster
Building Commissioner Building
Inspector
Building Inspector
City of Muncie
City of Muncie
City of Muncie
