Question about service feeder breaker size

[crtemp]

I am wiring a house that will be fed from a 200 amp meter main out on a pole about 50 feet
from the house. The meter main only has a 125 amp in it to feed the house power with. My question is can I still install a 200 amp main breaker panel and basically just use the 200 amp breaker as a disconnect since the wire is protected by a 125 amp breaker at the pole? Or would I be better off Unbolting the 200 amp main off the bus and installing a 125 amp breaker with a lockdown kit? I will be running 2/0 aluminum wire for feeders.

The house is tiny but has lots of two pole circuits so I need a fairly big panel to avoid having to twin anything. Especially since I can't twin down the arc fault breakers.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

As long as the panel is protected before the 200 amp breaker you are fine.

 

[crtemp]

As long as the panel is protected before the 200 amp breaker you are fine.

Ok great. That helps me out. There will be 7 two pole breakers so I'm glad I can still use a bigger panel.

 

[Sierrasparky]

You're fine with the 200 a panel. They do make 40 circuit 125 amp panels ya know. with main.

 

[crtemp]

You're fine with the 200 a panel. They do make 40 circuit 125 amp panels ya know. with main.

Ya but none of my suppliers have any. Even if they did I'm sure it would cost me more than the $65 I pay for a 200 amp 30/40 panel

 

[Sierrasparky]

The big box stores usually have one. At least online.

 

[crtemp]

The big box stores usually have one. At least online.

Ya I looked at Depot. No go. They only had main lug panels. Just drug my feet too long. Wiring the house tomorrow.

 

[Buck Parrish]

"I will be running 2/0 aluminum wire for feeders".


Around here we use #2 AL for 90 amp, some times a 100 amps

 

[Sierrasparky]

Ya I looked at Depot. No go. They only had main lug panels. Just drug my feet too long. Wiring the house tomorrow.

65 bucks is a good deal for a 200a MB panel. :thumbsup:

 

[crtemp]

65 bucks is a good deal for a 200a MB panel. :thumbsup:

Aluminum bus though

 

[1793]

"I will be running 2/0 aluminum wire for feeders".


Around here we use #2 AL for 90 amp, some times a 100 amps

Table 310.15(B)(7) shows 1/0 AL is good for 125A for Feeder supplying the entire load.

 

[crtemp]

Table 310.15(B)(7) shows 1/0 AL is good for 125A for Feeder supplying the entire load.

I didn't look at the table yet. I was just guessing. Might even be smaller because it's a feeder

 

[Buck Parrish]

I didn't look at the table yet. I was just guessing. Might even be smaller because it's a feeder

I was thinking #2 for some reason. It's just more readily available here. When it comes to direct burial. Here we usually have #2 AL or 4/0 AL.
But you could be using conduit or what ever.