*
Olav;
1)Sometimes there are circumstances that make it more practical to mount a service upside down, it’s not pretty or desireable but has to be done.
2)As others have said “in some states it is required for the switch to be outside” check with your local hydro authority (they love that name!)
3) No ground is a big issue, my guess is that it is in the switch, and I would advise opening it up to have a look see, if not it is time to do something about it and if you are not comfortable with it I am sure there are electrical contractors who are. Installing a ground system is well within the grasp of your average DIY.
Bak9do
Replies
*
Sometimes, the switch box is located outside so that if the main panel is flooded, say in a wet basement, you can safely shut off power from a remote location. First time I've heard of an upside down service panel, probably a good sign of DIY intrusion.
MD
*
I'm adding on to and remodeling our little cabin in Fairbanks and have found the usual assortment of odd DIYer construction details that are especially prevalent in this town, but the condition of the main service panel has thrown me for a loop. First of all, it is installed upside down. Second, at first look there appears to be no service disconnect. I trooped out to the utility pole(from which the service wires run undergound 200' to the house) and found it there in a separate box next to the meter. Can anyone tell me what's going on with this arrangement? It doesn't seem unsafe, just inconvenient and I can't figure out why. Of greater concern is that the panel doesn't appear to be grounded to earth, and I can't tell if the disconnect is grounded (or if such a setup would be legitimate). The service appears to be 100amp. I welcome any opinions, advice, insight, etc.
Stay warm-Olav
*sounds like the power company brought the power to the pole and into the switch. Then it was the owners problem to get the power to the house. installing a throw switch should be an easy fix.
*In some states, Wyoming being one I know of, The code calls for the main disconnect to be on the exterior of the house.There, it was said to be for firefighters and halloween pranksters :)
*Olav, why not hang a new panel, with a 100 amp Service Disconnect Breaker, ground rod, and some #6 copper to connect said ground rod to the ground buss? Throw your disconnect at the pole of course, before mucking with the panel in the house... and TEST to see that it IS dead before touching anything. Knopp or Wiggie testers are the norm.As to your upside-down panel... it may have been installed by visiting Australian (Ozzie) Electricans???
*FWIW, in some towns in my area, condos have the main disconnect at/next to the meter, not in the "main" panel. The disconnect box is treated as the main panel, and grounded (typically to a driven rod.) The "main" panel (i.e., the one with the CBs for the major appliance and branch circuits, are treated as a sub-panel, with the neutral and ground bars "de-bonded" and run back separately to the disconnect "main" panel. (There are 4 leads from the disconnect to the distribution panel, 2 hot,a neutral and a ground.)Bob WalkerNW Ohio
*I sec9ond B9ob's p9ost...near the streamaj, the 9 po9ster
*Jack, g9ot my secret dec9oder ring t9oday, it really makes reading y9our p9osts much easier!:) 42-G
*Olav; 1)Sometimes there are circumstances that make it more practical to mount a service upside down, it's not pretty or desireable but has to be done.2)As others have said "in some states it is required for the switch to be outside" check with your local hydro authority (they love that name!)3) No ground is a big issue, my guess is that it is in the switch, and I would advise opening it up to have a look see, if not it is time to do something about it and if you are not comfortable with it I am sure there are electrical contractors who are. Installing a ground system is well within the grasp of your average DIY.Bak9do