One of the things I like to do when I am inspecting a Condo for a buyer is to find the unit’s electrical meter and verify accessibility. Many meters are in locked utility rooms and it is important for the buyer to know what the Condo policy is on providing the unit owner access to their Meter and Main Electrical Disconnect. I also like to verify that the main disconnect breaker rating is proper for the wire size run to the panel and is properly sized for the panel within the unit itself. I thought it might be fun to show my readers what one of these electrical utility rooms looks like. When they look like this it can sometimes take a lot of time to find the meter that supposedly relates to my buyer’s unit. I am sure glad there were no mirrors on the floor and ceiling-----it might have been REALLY hard to find the “fairest one of all.” Sometimes they are numbered sequentially----other times----as was the case here----there was absolutely no obvious logic to the order of the meters (over 200 of them). It took me, the agent, and the building superintendent considerable time to find the correct meter. Of course if the meters are not labeled at all----that is important information in itself----and repairs should be made. Charles Buell
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Charles - That's just one reason why I always recommend that buyers purchasing a condo hire an inspector familiar with the several differences and potential problems associated with condos.
Hi Charles, Finding a red marble in a box of blue ones would be a way easier task. Wouldn't calling the Electrical service provider have been easier to locate the correct meter? When power is tuned off and on, there must be some way they can tell which meter is involved. That being beside the point, this was an entertaining post.
Charles,
Great post. How long did it take to find the correct one? Having the inspector check the meter is very important. One of our buyers had a meter that was all rusted, glass cracked. I don't think anyone had really looked at it for years. The power company had to come out and replace the meter.
John, so true. People think because it is a one bedroom, one bathroom, 800 sq foot unit---what can there possibly be to find? Most of the time, while smaller, there are lots of things that eat up more time than if it was a regular home. I like to be able to tell the buyer if there is anything going on in the crawl space under the whole building, condition of roof, where the electric meters are----as well as note any significant defects that might pop out in common areas.
William---it probably would have been:)
Diane, thanks----the rooms these meters are in are often a mess.
They have the condos' main disconnects at the meters?
I have never gotten a building superintendent anywhere near the room to be able to check!
Looks like a challenge for a meter reader! Interesting post. Thanks!
Charles,
Wow, I have never been in the meter room! I handle single family homes, so that was eye opening. I did run into something recently, where because the owner had to do remodeling and rework because of a flood, I encouraged them to change out a very old electrical panel with fuses.
My logic was it will be something that will come up during an inspection when they sell and why not take care of it when you have easy access to it with walls ripped up and new wiring to outlets already required. Yeah, they did it, so that will be one less item on the future inspection report!
All the best, Michelle
Jay, since around here the panel in the condo is always a sub-panel----the main disconnect is at the meters. I find about 50 percent of the time I can get in the utility room with a credit card:) (Good info for the association to be aware of)
Marcy, good point----I can imagine they have to bring lunch with them:)
Charles, Breaking and entering on condo inspections? This is another service to add to your list!!
Charles, you have a continuing set of challenges. Can't imagine why they wouldn't number the meters . . . crazy.
Jim, "information"----its all good:)
Frank---they were numbered----just in no particular order.
Thank you for that behind the scenes look at the meter room!
I'll bet if those are not labeled properly it can be quite the challenge for you and your fellow inspectors.
I've never seen anything like this before Charles. Even on condo here, they are on the outside of the unit or the unit below the unit. That room seems well... crazy to me, especially if there is no order.
Charles, great information, I hadn't thought about things like electrical meters in condos. Thanks for the post!
Craig---glad you enjoyed the trip:)
Tammy, lots of times the smaller condos will be on the outside around here as well. But on these condos with 50 or more units they are likely to be in utility rooms like this. The lack of "order" is the only part that gives me heart burn:)
Tony, the utility company never forgets them:)
Mr Charles,
That is a small condo compared to what I am used to. I will give you a tip. The working meter will be the one where the little thingee is spinning. Glad to share the tip with you.
Nutsy
Charles - impressive little room there, LOL And I think you should listen to Nutsy. He seems to have a handle on it....:)
Debi
Nutsy, weren't you going to leave a tip? I could use the money.
Debi, the only thing spinning about Nutsy is when he is chasing his tail.
Well, I wouldn't want the apartment anywhere near those meters. I hope they start to shield those types of rooms in the future.
I'll have to remember the credit card trick for the next time I'm locked out of a meter room.
I never saw a meter room before. You've educated me. That has to be a huge condo complex.
John, I am not sure I know what your concerns are.
James, it does work sometimes
Barbara, yes very big----at least 200 units.
Mr Charles,
I am very pleased that you got that bid on that monster inspection. I am also pleased that you have hired me and, lesser so excited, that you have hired Mr Quintarillo to assist. I am hoping to be ablve to educate him on the advantages to running the cable and power lines.
Nutsy
Nutsy, I hear he is bringing his barbecue grille and his special sauce----can't wait!
Mr Charles,
It looks like Mr Qunitarillo is planning on us doing some steak barbecues. What fun. I bet he plans on that inbetween lessons where I teach him important facts.
Nutsy
Nutsy, I hear that his new grill has something special for you---it cooks electrically---something about one alligator clip on your ear and one on your big toe? Sounds interesting.
Reminds me of the last scene of Raiders of the Lost Ark, when the Arc of the Covenant was wheeled back into a warehouse among the rows and rows of unmarked boxes...
Rich
Rich, I remember----that was quite a scene
So you close your eyes spin around 3 times and you point to the right one.lol
Robert, you are feeling lucky me thinks :)