200 AMP main lug sub panel in house fed from meter main combo

[David Alexander]

I am hoping for a solid answer here. I had a new metal building installed a few months ago. I installed a Siemens 400A meter main/combo that has 2 200 amp main breakers. This is located 30 feet from house on the outside of metal building. One of those breakers also happens to feed an 8 position integral panel as well. The first 200 amp breaker I have feeding a main lug panel on the other side of the wall that runs everything in the garage. When I got this inspected, the inspector said all is well. I had explained to him that in the near future I will be using the other 200 amp breaker to feed underground and over to the house to another 200 amp main lug panel so that I can do away with my existing outdated house service. He said that would be ok to do since the 200 amp breaker is located outside of the garage and would serve as the disconnect for the house. I have since become leary of this as one of my neighbors is a licensed electrician and said I need a main breaker panel in the house as it is a separate structure. I called the inspector and he said no, it may be a separate structure as long as there is a disconnect outside. I have since called several electrical companies and supply houses and get answers both ways. I am not against a main breaker panel as a sub panel, just prefer the cleaner install of one centrally located disconnection point right at the meter. Please advise.

 

[charlie b]

I am closing this thread in accordance with forum rules. This forum is intended for use by electricians and electrical contractors, inspectors, engineers, and vendors with their job-related duties. We are not allowed to provide how-to advice to persons who are not employed in this industry, or persons who do not perform electrical installation or maintenance as part of their jobs. Engineers are welcome to participate, but only if their questions do not involve attempts to perform their own electrical installation, troubleshooting, or maintenance work.

If this were simply a "what does the code say" question, I would allow it. But you have already stated that you did some of the existing electrical work. From that, it can be inferred that you intend to do the next project yourself. I am sorry, but this is not the place to ask for DIY assistance.