What are "separate service entrances" in multi-occupancy buildings under Article 230?

In multi-occupancy buildings, "separate service entrances" refer to the situations where distinct electrical service points are installed to serve different tenants or units within the same structure. Under Article 230 of the National Electrical Code (NEC), each service entrance must comply with the applicable code requirements on its own. This means that each service entrance must independently satisfy safety, accessibility, and installation standards as specified by the NEC. Each unit may have its own service panel, disconnecting means, and circuits, which enhances safety and operational efficiency.

This requirement ensures that individual services can be managed and maintained separately, allowing each unit to have its own electrical supply while ensuring compliance with safety standards set forth by the NEC. This practice promotes better workload management in terms of service disruptions, upgrades, or repairs and supports the overall integrity of the building’s electrical distribution system.

The other possibilities relate to limitations or design uniformities that do not account for the necessity of individual service compliance, which is essential in multi-occupancy scenarios.