06/26/2026
We recently wrapped up an extensive project in the heart of downtown Blacksburg. We worked with Real Property Management Insight to overhaul the aging electrical system in the apartments located behind Hokie House.
We replaced the breaker panels in 8 units and installed new 4-wire oven circuits. The exterior service was a jumble of individual meters and exposed electrical cables, so we pulled it all down and started from scratch. We ran modern 4-wire circuits to each unit, installed a main meter bank with separate disconnects for each unit, and enclosed all cables in rigid steel conduit.
This project required several updates to comply with the National Electric Code, such as installing the main breakers on the outside of the dwelling, instead of inside the breaker panel. Exterior disconnects are required by the NEC to allow firefighters and first responders to instantly cut power to a home from the outside during an emergency. Code also requires all 3-wire 240V circuits be replaced with 4-wire circuits, to lessen the risk of ground faults and electrocution.
Code changes are tricky but always worth it in the end to have a safer home or workplace. We think it turned out pretty good 😍