Electrical Panel Main Breaker

[TripleT]

I have noticed that the new homes being built do not have a main breaker in the electrical panel. There is usually a large 200amp breaker at the top that shuts down power to the entire panel. How do you shut off power to the panel?

[Altavia]

Look for the Main shutoff in the exterior meter box.

[gorillarick]

"Look for the Main shutoff in the exterior meter box."

So that means only a licensed electrician or someone from your power provider can make any change to the main circuit breaker panel in your house?
If so, does that also mean an electrician would need a county permit to pull the meter?
aye yi yi yi yi

[Topspinmo]

Wow, the purpose of main breaker panel? Must be outside at meter? Pictures would be worth 1000s words?

[ElDiabloJoe]

I have noticed that the new homes being built do not have a main breaker in the electrical panel. There is usually a large 200amp breaker at the top that shuts down power to the entire panel. How do you shut off power to the panel?

Ummm, I don't know much, but isn't that exactly what a main breaker is?

If you are asking how to de-energize the entire house, in my experience that is done by either pulling the meter or sleeving off the meter's load side blades. I would have the local utility provider handle that, it is not a DIY job unless you have the experience and a barrel key if it has a locking snap ring. Especially if you're talking about a 3-phase meter since those have 7 blades instead of just the 4 most residential single-phase meters possess.

You're gonna need the utility provider to come out to replace the security seal (lead or plastic depending on utility provider) when you're done otherwise they will suspect you jumped the meter to steal electricity.

[CarlR33]

Ummm, I don't know much, but isn't that exactly what a main breaker is?

If you are asking how to de-energize the entire house, in my experience that is done by either pulling the meter or sleeving off the meter's load side blades. I would have the local utility provider handle that, it is not a DIY job unless you have the experience and a barrel key if it has a locking snap ring. Especially if you're talking about a 3-phase meter since those have 7 blades instead of just the 4 most residential single-phase meters possess.

You're gonna need the utility provider to come out to replace the security seal (lead or plastic depending on utility provider) when you're done otherwise they will suspect you jumped the meter to steal electricity. As you said, PLEASE do not mess with the utility service coming into your home (I have utility background). Minimum PPE for a utility worker is face shield, rubber gloves and arc flash clothing because removing the meter can arc. I know Duke has the ability to shut off/turn on your power remotely and do not need to come out (they did this for our new home). No difference in shutting off each circuit vs. a main switch so not sure why you’re asking?

[VAtoFLA]

As you said, PLEASE do not mess with the utility service coming into your home (I have utility background). Minimum PPE for a utility worker is face shield, rubber gloves and arc flash clothing because removing the meter can arc. I know Duke has the ability to shut off/turn on your power remotely and do not need to come out (they did this for our new home). No difference in shutting off each circuit vs. a main switch so not sure why you’re asking?

Doing all of the individuals will give you no power to the house like switching a main panel breaker, but the panel itself will still be energized. If you want to work on the panel itself, a main breaker is helpful.

[Altavia]

Wow, the purpose of main breaker panel? Must be outside at meter? Pictures would be worth 1000s words?

I think the code changed to allow first responders to shut off the power outside the house.

Should look something like this.

[ElDiabloJoe]

As you said, PLEASE do not mess with the utility service coming into your home (I have utility background). Minimum PPE for a utility worker is face shield, rubber gloves and arc flash clothing because removing the meter can arc. I know Duke has the ability to shut off/turn on your power remotely and do not need to come out (they did this for our new home). No difference in shutting off each circuit vs. a main switch so not sure why you’re asking?
Man!! You're telling me!! I had a 3-phase overheat meter arc on me when I installed it at an industrial unit. Did everything exactly right, couldn't figure out for the life of me what happened - besides the meter blowing up and the entire 6-unit raceway blue-sizzling and frying.

Turns out, an outside electrician had previously worked on the panel. When they installed the clips, they were not securely tightened so when the meter blade was inserted, the clip bent until metal met metal and the arc occurred. I was so lucky that day, I went out and bought a lottery ticket. Luck only struck once that day however.

[gorillarick]

I doubt any homes in TV have 3-phase. 110/220 single phase supplied to the house.

[ltcdfancher]

The meter on the outside wall of my newly-constructed Well Point home looks very similar to the thumbnail attached above. The meter socket is integral to the enclosure BUT there is a distribution panel below the meter.

[Win1894]

I doubt any homes in TV have 3-phase. 110/220 single phase supplied to the house.

I think you mean 120/240v. This became the standard in the mid-20th century and almost everywhere in the US since 1984. The 240v service would likely be phased at 180 degrees.

[RoadToad]

IIRC NEC requires main breaker to now be external to dwelling thus allowing First Responders to kill the power without needing entry.

[jimkerr]

Is there not a main breaker outside in the box just underneath your meter?

[MicRoDrafting]

YES … Main CB is now located outside either next to or combined with the Meter.

AND YES … so First Responders can Shut the Electric Service to the home during an emergency.

ALSO, if a Licensed Electrician has to make any changes to a pre-existing electrical panel, the New NEC requires that the CB be changed as to incorporate the Main CB outside residence next to the Meter Pan

[Altavia]

IIRC NEC requires main breaker to now be external to dwelling thus allowing First Responders to kill the power without needing entry.

Do I understand correctly, surge suppression is also now required?

[TripleT]

. No difference in shutting off each circuit vs. a main switch so not sure why you’re asking?

I wanted to add a new breaker for a 220v circuit to feed an EV charger in the garage. Given the homeowner can no longer power off the panel, I will need to hire an electrician. I built and wired a home in PA many years ago. The laws have changed since then and homeowner DIY projects are now limited.

[Marathon Man]

I wanted to add a new breaker for a 220v circuit to feed an EV charger in the garage. Given the homeowner can no longer power off the panel, I will need to hire an electrician. I built and wired a home in PA many years ago. The laws have changed since then and homeowner DIY projects are now limited.

Did you open the outside panel? Mine has the main breaker and the local switch for the A/C condenser.

[jrref]

Do I understand correctly, surge suppression is also now required?

If you look in that outdoor box you will see that a surge protector is installed by code now. This is minimal surge protection and is better than nothing but for proper "whole house" surge protection you should add either the Eaton Ultra or the PSP-Vortexx surge protector.

We are coming close to the rainy/stormy season so it's a good time to consider whole house surge protection.

[CybrSage]

I think you mean 120/240v. This became the standard in the mid-20th century and almost everywhere in the US since 1984. The 240v service would likely be phased at 180 degrees.

Both 110 and 120 are acceptable terms. Like using the term Man instead of Humanity.

People sometimes say "110" instead of "120" because "110" is an older designation for the standard voltage in the United States.

120 volts has been the official standard in the US since 1984.
"110" is an older designation that's still used by the general public.
The terms "110V" and "120V" are often used interchangeably.

[phousel]

I have noticed that the new homes being built do not have a main breaker in the electrical panel. There is usually a large 200amp breaker at the top that shuts down power to the entire panel. How do you shut off power to the panel?
Utilities come through the slab. Are you sure that the main breaker is not at the bottom of the panel?

[Golfshopguy]

My CB box has a main shutoff inside on the bottom of the panel

[Topspinmo]

When I look at my MCP the power comes in from bottom and goes out at top. The circuit breaker cut power for wiring in house but does nothing for wires coming into box. For that have to go out and up plug meter. Putting the MCB outside before the MCP makes good sense. Now all power cut out side the house. At least that’s way I see it? My brain wired more mechanical than electrical…:shocked: beings I was dinosaur mechanic… :cry:

[pikeselectric]

I have noticed that the new homes being built do not have a main breaker in the electrical panel. There is usually a large 200amp breaker at the top that shuts down power to the entire panel. How do you shut off power to the panel?

Good morning, the new construction homes (2024 and current) have the main breaker in the outside meter main. Current NEC code cycle in effect requires us to have the main disconnect on the outside of the home :)

[Andyb]

"Look for the Main shutoff in the exterior meter box."

So that means only a licensed electrician or someone from your power provider can make any change to the main circuit breaker panel in your house?
If so, does that also mean an electrician would need a county permit to pull the meter?
aye yi yi yi yi
Your incorrect

[mambeg]

I have noticed that the new homes being built do not have a main breaker in the electrical panel. There is usually a large 200amp breaker at the top that shuts down power to the entire panel. How do you shut off power to the panel?

The newest National Electric Code requires an exterior main shut off switch so the Fire Department can shut off the electric without going into your house. It should accessible to you.

[Sandy and Ed]

The newest National Electric Code requires an exterior main shut off switch so the Fire Department can shut off the electric without going into your house. It should accessible to you.
Personally I would prefer a second main shut off INSIDE the garage/house so I wouldn’t get soaked in a storm if I wanted to shut down the house. Also I would prefer having complete control over the power where I can observe it rather than outside where it could be energized while I was doing some small DYI electrical work (yeah I do suffer from occasional paranoia). Somehow I feel that construction costs or expediency may also be part of the rationale for this new code requirement

[VAtoFLA]

Personally I would prefer a second main shut off INSIDE the garage/house so I wouldn’t get soaked in a storm if I wanted to shut down the house. Also I would prefer having complete control over the power where I can observe it rather than outside where it could be energized while I was doing some small DYI electrical work (yeah I do suffer from occasional paranoia). Somehow I feel that construction costs or expediency may also be part of the rationale for this new code requirement

Building codes seldom produce expediency or cost savings for the builder.