I'm thinking about connecting an additional 240v circuit to the panel in my apartment (7 apartments in the building, NYC) but the panel has no main shutoff breaker installed on it. I believe that the main shutoff breaker for the apartment is located in the basement but I would prefer an additional shutoff on the panel itself for the convenience and also for the peace of mind knowing that I won't get zapped if someone comes along and flips the basement switch on me while working on the panel.
I've never installed a main shutoff in a panel before so here's my questions. This panel can in fact have a main shutoff switch installed right? There is a little metal tear-out section on the panel front piece indicating that a main shutoff switch goes there but how would it attach? It must need to interrupt both hot service wires coming in right?
Best Answer
You could install a main breaker (what you're calling a main shutoff) but that REALLY shouldn't be done live, by anyone. You'd have to lift your feeders and land them on the new main breaker terminals.
When the disconnect is not where you can keep an eye on it while you're working, like in your building, it should be lockable. If the disconnect has a one-arm-bandit type arm to open it, those can be locked open with a padlock. If it's just a regular breaker, you might be able to find a breaker lock that clamps on the breaker handle and can be locked with a padlock.