Two 200A Services in one building

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Doc13067

Doc13067

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Bucks County/Philadelphia, PA USA
If I’m installing two 200A services in one structure can I run one length of #4 cu to the water pipe from each main disconnect? Or would I have to either run two lengths of #4 (one from each service) or size it to 1/0 cu if I wanted to run one length? This was originally one 400A service but the poco preferred we split it into two separate taps and make it 200/200.

If I have to make it 1/0 if I want one GEC to serve both services my next question is going to be how to get a wire that size onto a 1 inch water pipe.
 
It’s got two separate meter sockets, two separate masts, 3 disconnects, and 3 panels for 3 units in 1 building.

200A wires to 2 gang meter socket with 2 meters to 2 separate discos to 2 load centers

200A wires to 2 gang meter socket with 1 meter to 1 disco and 1 load center
 
Started as a 400A service and poco said make it two 200A services. Can one set of grounds provide both services while being sized for 200A since it is in one building? Or do I to run separate grounds from each service to the water pipe or make the GEC for 400A?
 
Ussually , one to each disconnect. Unless you can termiate in the meter bases in which case 2 would suffice one to each set of meters.
 
Doc13067 said:
Or would I have to either run two lengths of #4 (one from each service) or size it to 1/0 cu if I wanted to run one length?
Click to expand...
How did you come up with #1/0? Unless the water pipe was right next to the service disconnects I would run a single GEC and tap off to each panel with a split bolt.
 
I came up with 1/0 because that would be the size for the wires for a 400A service. I like your thinking and will do it if it’s ok, but I believe split bolts are no good for grounding because they have to be continuous or crimped or exothermically welded, right? 250.64(c)

If I can run one length of wires I was going to use Burndy c crimps.
 
Doc13067 said:
I came up with 1/0 because that would be the size for the wires for a 400A service. I like your thinking and will do it if it’s ok, but I believe split bolts are no good for grounding because they have to be continuous or crimped or exothermically welded, right? 250.64(c)
Click to expand...
Split bolts are fine because you are not splicing the GEC you are tapping to it with bonding jumpers. Bonding jumpers can use split bolts to connect to the GEC.
 
Doc13067 said:
here’s a drawing
View attachment 2563794
Click to expand...
If these are at the same location and supplied by one source that is still one service per NEC. The way the GES is done is one way to do it.
Another way is to run the GEC to a common point (like where the service drop connects) and in that situation you wouldn't need to hit each individual service disconnect. You still would be allowed to make a bonding jumper from either the water pipe itself or from the GEC to the ground rods.

Most the time I'd probably do it like this is drawn but every install is different and arrangement of things can make one do it differently at times.
 
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