HI, this im new here, and i have a question, i have a panel load of 200 amps and another panel load of 135 amps, both panels go inside but the architect did not draw the service, it only says panels are 225amp main lug.
so im assuming its 2- 225amps main breakers outside but im having a hard time choosing the meter do i need a 400 amp meter since its above the continuos load or i need something bigger? how do i figure this out??????/
Lets assume for now the actual art 220 load calculation results are 200 and 135 amps for each panel. There is nothing wrong with feeding main lug panels rated 225 amps for these loads. You could use anything greater or equal than the 200 and 135 figures.
Now remember common bus ratings for panelboards are typically 100, 125, 150, 200, 225, maybe 250 but many jump to 400 after 225. It may be more common to see 225 rated for main lug panels than to see 200 amp rated main lug panels in some instances. So selection of 225 amp main lug panels is not all that surprising. But if these are main lug only there still has to be either a service or other disconnect from say a separately derived system, or a feeder disconnect someplace. Rating of overcurent devices supplying these panels must be at least 200 amps and 135 amps - which next standard size up is 150.
If we still assume the load calc's mentioned above both could be served from a service or feeder with a minimum of 335 amps capacity. Each would still need 200 and 150 minimum overcurrent protection.
The 200 amp supplied panel must have 200 amp minimum ampacity conductors, but the 135 supplied panel can have minimum 135 amp conductors and still be protected at next higher standard device which is 150.