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Dennis,
The Taunton book, “Wiring a House”, is a terrific work for the novice and intermediate electrician or electrical project worker. It undoubtedly will offer some insight on your situation, but it’s really focused on single-family residences. There are other works out there (which I’ll try to check when I get home tonite) that will have more information for your situation.
I must caution you that it’s relatively easy in most states to do your own electrical work for your own single-family dwelling. As soon as you start trying to do stuff for multi-family dwellings, you’re moving into an area that’s risky from a permit and insurance perspective if you’re not a licensed electrician. So be aware of these issues before you pull the meter and get going!
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Dennis,
The Taunton book, "Wiring a House", is a terrific work for the novice and intermediate electrician or electrical project worker. It undoubtedly will offer some insight on your situation, but it's really focused on single-family residences. There are other works out there (which I'll try to check when I get home tonite) that will have more information for your situation.
I must caution you that it's relatively easy in most states to do your own electrical work for your own single-family dwelling. As soon as you start trying to do stuff for multi-family dwellings, you're moving into an area that's risky from a permit and insurance perspective if you're not a licensed electrician. So be aware of these issues before you pull the meter and get going!
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With regards to the meter boxes, the service entrance in more than 8 feet from the panels, so it is my understanding that a disconnect next to the meter is required; hence, the high cost of what I assume is a custom ganged meter box and breaker arrangement. As for the permit, I met with the inspector and he indicated I should have no problems, but I shall have the permit in hand before I begin. Of course, there is one last problem - my tenant.
Her grand nieces told me that she would be moving out this June. Gladys, who will be 101 this month told me that she is staying. Rent is good.
Thanks for the advice, and I shall buy the book.
Dennis
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Dennis -
Glad to hear that the inspector is gonna be OK with your move. Most multi-family dwellings include a meter for the "house" power. In your case, you've got a meter for each tenant and one for shared things like: Common stairway lights, common outdoor/porch lites, sump pump, etc. The meter arrangement sounds pretty normal to me as well as the need for a disconnect.
I'll try to remember to send you the other book titles later.
*Dennis,Here's a very useful book that can carry you through a great number of issues with residential wiring. It's "House Wiring with the National Electric Code" by Ray C. Mullin. I bought it through Amazon and find it to be very informative. It's also current with the 1999 NEC. Have at it!
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Thanks, it's ordered.
Dennis
*TP...Ray has two versions out in the same year of similar titles. Is the one you talk about "House Wiring with the National Electrical Code" or"Electrical Wiring: Residential : Based on the 1999 National Electrical Code"The second one is some 600 pages long and probably contains a lot more information.
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Steve:
I have the first title (smaller one). I didn't want to spring for the biggie but may in the future. I'm really pleased with the information and coverage in the book I have. Hope you are too.
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I am planning on replacing the service on my duplex with a three meter set up from Square D($612 with 200 amp disconnects sound right?) and am looking to buy a book on home wiring. Has anyone used the Taunton book?
Yes, I mostly know what I am doing; but Loeffler Code isn't always NEC and I have fallen asleep trying to dig thru the code to find all the appropriate parts.
Thanks,
Dennis
*Why would you want to put 3 meters on a duplex? What is the third meter for? House lighting/building service perhaps? Seems like it would be cheaper and easier to install a dual gang box or just two seperate meter bases with their own disconnects and wire the outside house lighting 1/2 and 1/2 amongst the two. Would be a whole lot cheaper than buying a $600 setup. Of course around here we do not have to buy the meter base as it is provided from the power company and installed by the customer.