Below is a photo of the main breaker at a condo. Inside a condo, people see an electric panel and assume that it is like the main panel inside a home. Usually that is not the case. At condos the panel inside is usually a distribution or sub-panel. The main breaker will be outside by all the meters for the various units. It is not hard to find, look for the meters and, beside them, there are usually a number of individual breakers -- as shown in the photo. Sometimes the sub-panel will have a dual breaker labeled as the main, but if there is the arrangement shown here, that is still NOT the main. The main is the first breaker which is outdoors. Because the main is outside, that means the panel inside requires a different wiring arrangement.
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Such a powerful medium to share tips like these.
Marlene,
You know, I agree with you. I like mysteries too. This is, of course, particularly the case with electrical panels outside. In Bellingham the tallest building in town, with commercial tenants, has an exposed electric panel in the parking garage. Last time I looked, someone walking through could kill the main breaker for about half the lawyers, massage practitioners, accountants in town. I was at a house once where they had locked the electric panel with a combination lock. Ended up they had not locked it because they thought it was a security risk but because they had their spare house keys locked inside.
Steven,
I believe the reason mains are located on the exterior is because in case of an emergency the power can be shut off remotely.
When inspecting a condo I will point out the main to my client. If they are not marked, which often they are not, I will tell my client to start shutting off the breakers until they find theirs. I tell them it's a great way to meet your neighbors. :-()
Your point about the wiring method is a good one. I have seen where panels were wired as a main service in condos when it should have been a sub-service. Good info on what is probablly an overlooked, but import item in a home or condo.
James,
As for the reason they are outside, makes total sense. I am sure that is why.
To help people find them, I put in the report the exact photo below with a description of where to find the main. This fellow lived in unit 7.