A site built home has electric service that runs directly to the home, either overhead or underground, with an electric meter typically on an exterior wall, and the service equipment (also called the main service panel) nearby or somewhere inside the home. There may, or may not, also be a distribution panel inside the home. 

    But the National Electric Code (NEC Article 550.32) requirements for mobile homes are slightly different:

1. The main service panel is not allowed to be attached to or installed in a mobile home, with an exception allowed as noted below. It must be located within sight and not more than 30 feet away from the mobile home. It is typically mounted on a service pole (for overhead service) or service pedestal (for underground service), and the panel must be at least 100 amps and not less than the rating of the distribution panel inside the home installed by the manufacturer.
2. A main service panel may only be installed in or on a manufactured home if the following seven conditions are met, from NEC 550.32 (B):
3. The distribution panel inside the mobile home is required to be in an accessible location, and not in a closet or bathroom. Because it is a subpanel, it must have an isolated neutral terminal bar (not bonded to ground).

   Because of this configuration, the main service panel often gets left behind when a mobile home is moved to a new site; but, it can be reused for a replacement mobile home on the same site if the amperage is adequate. Also, you might see a service panel that at first appears to be attached to a mobile home—but, if you look closer, it is actually mounted on the wall of a site-built addition.

    Also, see our blog posts What is the minimum size electric service to a mobile/manufactured home? and Why is the National Electrical Code (NEC) so hard to understand and complicated? and What is the difference between a manufactured/mobile home water heater and a regular water heater?

Here’s links to a collection of our blog posts about MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOMES:

• Where can I file a complaint if I have problems with my new or used manufactured/mobile home in Florida?

• What are the most common defects in mobile/manufactured home foundation piers?

• How do I determine the age of a very old mobile home?

• What is a "HUD label verification letter" for a mobile/manufactured home?  

• When did a ground cover vapor barrier (plastic sheet) become required under a mobile/manufactured home? 

• Is it safe to go under a mobile home? 

• Are older mobile homes unsafe? 

• What do I need to know about buying a foreclosed mobile home? 

• Does it make sense to buy an older mobile home and remodel it? 

• Where do I find the vehicle identification number (VIN) on a mobile home? 

• How do I find out how old a mobile home is and who manufactured it?

• What is the right price for a used mobile home?

• How energy efficient is a mobile home?

• When were the first double-wide mobile homes manufactured?

• How do I upgrade my old (pre-1976) mobile home to meet HUD standards?

• What size air conditioner is right for my mobile home? 

• Can you move an older mobile home in Florida? 

• What does the HUD tag look like and where do I find it on a mobile home? 

• Can you put a zone 1 mobile home in Florida?

• How can I remove water under my mobile home?

• What's the differences between a trailer, a mobile home, a manufactured home, and a modular home? 

• What is a D-sticker mobile home? 

• What are the tie-down requirements for a mobile home?

• How fireproof is a mobile home?  

• Can I install a mobile home myself?

• What is a Park Model mobile home?  

• Does an addition to a mobile home have to comply with the HUD Code? 

• What walls can I remove in a mobile home?

• What can I do to prevent dampness and mold in my mobile home? 

• How can I tell if a mobile home is well constructed?

• How can I tell the difference between a manufactured home and a modular home?

    Visit our ELECTRICAL and MANUFACTURED/MOBILE HOMES pages for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.