Different meters, same conduit

[jaggedben]

Is it a violation of the NEC to run two branch circuits from different meters in the same raceway? The question concerns a multi-unit building where both meters are on the same service. Distribution is separate and both circuits meet at a junction box, then separate again at another junction box. The ground is also combined in the first junction box and separated in the other.

We've had installations pass inspection this way, and then recently one failed with a new inspector in the same district, and it seems the building department has settled on it being not allowed. Which will be a huge pain for us in similar future jobs. I have looked through 230, for starters, and see nothing addressing this.

 

[texie]

Is it a violation of the NEC to run two branch circuits from different meters in the same raceway? The question concerns a multi-unit building where both meters are on the same service. Distribution is separate and both circuits meet at a junction box, then separate again at another junction box. The ground is also combined in the first junction box and separated in the other.

We've had installations pass inspection this way, and then recently one failed with a new inspector in the same district, and it seems the building department has settled on it being not allowed. Which will be a huge pain for us in similar future jobs. I have looked through 230, for starters, and see nothing addressing this.

There is nothing in the NEC to prohibit this. But I can tell you that many POCO's won't allow it (except in meter centers) and I have seen numerous AHJ's that won't allow it either. IMHO it is a bad practice.

 

[jaggedben]

...IMHO it is a bad practice.

Why?
(How is it different from two branch circuits from the same meter being in the same conduit?)

 

[iwire]

There is nothing in the NEC to prohibit this. But I can tell you that many POCO's won't allow it (except in meter centers) and I have seen numerous AHJ's that won't allow it either. IMHO it is a bad practice.

I do not see any issue with it at all.


I also have never heard of a power company prohibiting it either. I have heard of them prohibiting metered and unmetered conductors in the same raceways.