Service-Entrance Switch and Metering Equipment
Fused switches or circuit breakers must be provided near the entrance point of electrical service in a building for shutting off the power. The National Electrical Code requires that each incoming service in a multiple-occupancy building be controlled near its entrance by not more than six switches or circuit breakers.
Metering equipment consists of a meter pan, meter cabinet, current transformer cabinet, or a combination of these cabinets, depending on the load requirements and other characteristics of the specific project. The meters and metering transform ers for recording current consumed are furnished by the utility company. Unless otherwise permitted by the utility company, meters must be located near the point of service entrance. Sometimes, the utility company permits one or more tenant meter rooms at other locations in the cellar of an apartment house to suit economical building wiring design. Tenant meter closets on the upper floors, opening on public halls, also may be permitted. The most common form of tenant meters used is the three-wire type, consisting of two phase wires and the neutral, taken from a 208/ 120-V three-phase four-wire service.
The service switch and metering equipment may be combined in one unit, or the switch may be connected with conduit to a separate meter trough. For individual metering, the detachable-socket-type meter with prongs that fit into the jaws of the
meter-mounting trough generally is used.
Switchboards and Panelboards
For low-capacity loads, wiring may be taken directly to a panelboard. For larger loads, wiring may be brought first to a switchboard and then to panelboards. This equipment is described in Art. 15.7. Branch circuits extend from panelboards to the various loads.
