09/12/2025
The State of Maine is now enforcing the 2023 NEC section 230.71(B)
There was a previous document issued by former Senior Inspector Kern Butler in 2022 that allowed the existing metering equipment available to still be used due to electrical suppliers not having the new metering equipment readily available. That equipment is now available and meets the existing code article adopted by the Board effective July 1, 2024. The language is provided below as written in the 2023 NEC with the changes highlighted. Any questions or concerns please contact the State Inspector that covers your area.
NEC 230.71(B)
Two to six service disconnects shall be permitted for each service permitted by 230.2 or for each set of service-entrance conductors permitted by 230.40, Exception No. 1, 3, 4, or 5. The two to six service disconnecting means shall be permitted to consist of a combination of any of the following:
(1)
Separate enclosures with a main service disconnecting means in each enclosure
(2)
Panelboards with a main service disconnecting means in each panelboard enclosure
(3)
Switchboard(s) where there is only one service disconnect in each separate vertical section with barriers provided between each vertical section to maintain the inadvertent contact protection required in 230.62 based on access from the adjacent section(s)
(4)
Service disconnects in switchgear, transfer switches, or metering centers where each disconnect is located in a separate compartment
(5)
Metering centers with a main service disconnecting means in each metering center
6)
Motor control center(s) where there is only one service disconnect in a motor control center unit and a maximum of two service disconnects provided in a single motor control center with barriers provided between each motor control center unit or compartment containing a service disconnect to maintain the inadvertent contact protection required in 230.62 based on access from adjacent motor control center unit(s) or compartment(s)
Exception to (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6): Existing service equipment, installed in compliance with previous editions of this Code that permitted multiple service disconnecting means in a single enclosure, section, or compartment, shall be permitted to contain a maximum of six service disconnecting means.
Informational Note No. 1: See UL 67, Standard for Panelboards, for information on metering centers.
Informational Note No. 2: Examples of separate enclosures with a main service disconnecting means in each enclosure include but are not limited to motor control centers, fused disconnects, and circuit breaker enclosures.
Informational Note No. 3: Transfer switches are provided with one service disconnect or multiple service disconnects in separate compartments.
Summary of Changes
Revised list item (3) to require barriers in switchboard(s), revised item (4) to add transfer switches, added items (5) and (6), and added an exception and Informational Note. [FR-7759, FR-7798, FR-7801, FR-7800, FR-7799]
Brian Laflamme
Senior State Electrical Inspector
State of Maine
207-592-7930
Aspose.Words.6b0e88d2-0ad8-4999-91b1-a049c1bef62f.001.png
