Meter Mains

[CuriousElectron]

Hi,

If the service meter comes a circuit breaker, is the circuit breaker considered a disconnect per NEC?

 

[dpc]

If the breaker is on the customer side of the meter, then it will be the service disconnecting device. If it's on the utility side of the meter, then generally it is not considered as a service disconnect.

 

[waross]

In rural areas here we have demand breakers on the customer side of the meter that are owned by the utility. They do not obviate the need for a service disconnect.
Example: A farm house may require by code a 100 Amp main service. This will require a 100 Amp main breaker. The utility owned demand breaker may be as little as 35 Amps.
Example: I helped a farmer do some upgrades.
An outdoor 100 Amp panel complete with a 100 Amp main breaker.
Some small local loads and a 100 Amp sub-feed to the home.
All fed from a 35 Amp demand breaker at the meter. (With a 100 Amp rated cable as per code.)
It depends.
The demand meter is behind the utility seal. That may make a difference.
Rural properties here are subject to a demand charge.
The utility does not meter the demand, rather they limit it with a demand breaker.
Smallest demand for a house is 5 KVA and they will generously give you a 35 Amp demand breaker.
If you have a shop they will want a 10 KVA demand.
I have a large shop but only a few led lights so I was allowed the minimum demand.
If I start welding and experience nuisance tripping I will either have to pay more for a 10 KVA demand breaker, every month.
Or, run the welder from my generator.
is the circuit breaker considered a disconnect per NEC?
It depends.

Bill
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"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter