200 vs two 100

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normbac

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Bidding a residence, plans are calling for two 100A panels in same location (pantry) fed from a 400A Any input on why a 200 would not be a good recomendation instead? TIA
 
Could it be the number of circuits? A 200 amp panel is 40 circuits at most. Is the 100 amp panels 24- or 30-spaces?

"Pantry" kind of scares me... is there proper clearance?
 
480sparky said:
Could it be the number of circuits? A 200 amp panel is 40 circuits at most. Is the 100 amp panels 24- or 30-spaces?

"Pantry" kind of scares me... is there proper clearance?
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yeah It must be the spaces although there are not that many circuits required? Guess Ill bid it as specified
Huge pantry lots of clearance
 
normbac said:
yeah It must be the spaces although there are not that many circuits required? Guess Ill bid it as specified
Huge pantry lots of clearance
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They could have some sort of shelving layout in mind that one long panel would interfear with and two shorter panels would fit in between. Just a guess, even though us electricians know that a shelf above or below the panels would be an NEC violation. The plan draw-er guy might not know that. All in all, though, if two panels is what they want, two panels they shall get.
 
It would certainly be worth it to make a phone call or two, and suggest alternatives, some of which could be profitable.
 
If there is any big motor loads like central ac, the 200 amp might be a better choice since the feeder will be twice the size. There would be less dimming of lights from motor inrush using 200 vs 2 100 amp panels. A second 100 amp sub panel could also be run off of the 200 subpanel, giving you the two panels that was specified, but this will cost more no doubt about it. I could turn this deal into an upsell feature. :cool:
 
My first thought is simply a mistake.

Either the 400 meter should have been a 200 or more likely the two panels should have been 200s instead of 100s.

A phone call asking some questions seems like a smart move.
 
iwire said:
My first thought is simply a mistake.

Either the 400 meter should have been a 200 or more likely the two panels should have been 200s instead of 100s.

A phone call asking some questions seems like a smart move.
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I had the same thought, a 400 amp meter feeding 2-100 amp panels screams mistake. Unless of course the designer has some information that we don't.:rolleyes:
 
Perhaps the planner was thinking copper wire. To wire a subpanel with 200 amp you would need a 4 wire 3/0 cable.

Edit-- I would pipe it if it were possible but that is not always feasible.

This is just not readily available and may cost twice as much as 2 cables of #2 alhough I don't really know.

I can see running two 100 amp panels to get more space but I would try and locate one panel in a convenient spot away from the first panel to shorten my homeruns.
 
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200 vs two 100

I agree with Iwire and it doesn't take long to make a phone call. If they want a bid the way first ask I think you need to bid on what they ask so all bids are apples to apples but I would at least make a recommendation on how I think it should be done. Sometimes they would need to get an amendment for the job.
(NO JOKES ON APPLES TO APPLES) Semper Fi
 
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