Page 726 - 2018_IRC

CHAPTER 36

SERVICES

ICC user note:
About this chapter: Chapter 36 is the first of the logical order of chapters that mimics the normal sequence of dwelling construction. The first
step in dwelling wiring is typically the sizing, design and installation of the service that is the source of power for the building. This chapter
addresses the sizing of services, service conductor sizing and installation, system grounding and bonding, overcurrent protection, disconnect-
ing means and the grounding electrode system.
This chapter requires services to be properly sized to serve the load. This is intended to prevent overloading and to provide the utility
expected by the occupants. This chapter is also intended to protect occupants and the building from fire and protect the occupants from elec-
trical shock hazards associated with service conductors and equipment.

SECTION E3601 E3601.7 Maximum number of disconnects. The service
GENERAL SERVICES disconnecting means shall consist of not more than six
E3601.1 Scope. This chapter covers service conductors and switches or six sets of circuit breakers mounted in a single
equipment for the control and protection of services and their enclosure or in a group of separate enclosures. [230.71(A)]
installation requirements. (230.1)
E3601.2 Number of services. One- and two-family dwell- SECTION E3602
ings shall be supplied by only one service. (230.2) SERVICE SIZE AND RATING
E3601.3 One building or other structure not to be sup- E3602.1 Ampacity of ungrounded conductors. Ungrounded
plied through another. Service conductors supplying a service conductors shall have an ampacity of not less than the
building or other structure shall not pass through the interior load served. For one-family dwellings, the ampacity of the
of another building or other structure. (230.3) ungrounded conductors shall be not less than 100 amperes, 3
E3601.4 Other conductors in raceway or cable. Conduc- wire. For all other installations, the ampacity of the ungrounded
tors other than service conductors shall not be installed in the conductors shall be not less than 60 amperes. [230.42(B),
same service raceway or service cable in which the service 230.79(C) & (D)]
conductors are installed. (230.7) E3602.2 Service load. The minimum load for ungrounded
Exceptions: service conductors and service devices that serve 100 percent
of the dwelling unit load shall be computed in accordance
1. Grounding electrode conductors or supply side with Table E3602.2. Ungrounded service conductors and ser-
bonding jumpers or conductors shall be permitted vice devices that serve less than 100 percent of the dwelling
within service raceways.
unit load shall be computed as required for feeders in accor-
2. Load management control conductors having over- dance with Chapter 37. [220.82(A)]
current protection shall be permitted within service E3602.2.1 Services under 100 amperes. Services that are
raceways.
not required to be 100 amperes shall be sized in accor-
E3601.5 Raceway seal. Where a service raceway enters from dance with Chapter 37. [230.42(A), (B), and (C)].
an underground distribution system, it shall be sealed in
accordance with Section E3803.6. (230.8)
E3601.6 Service disconnect required. Means shall be pro-
vided to disconnect all conductors in a building or other
structure from the service entrance conductors. (230.70)
E3601.6.1 Marking of service equipment and discon-
nects. Service disconnects shall be permanently marked as
a service disconnect. [230.70(B)]
E3601.6.2 Service disconnect location. The service discon-
necting means shall be installed at a readily accessible loca-
tion either outside of a building or inside nearest the point of
entrance of the service conductors. Service disconnecting
means shall not be installed in bathrooms. Each occupant
shall have access to the disconnect serving the dwelling unit
in which they reside. [230.70(A)(1)(2), 230.72(C)]

2018 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE ® 701
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