320a meter with disconnects

RdmanElect

RdmanElect

Member
Location
Poughkeepsie NY
Occupation
Electrical Contractor
I'm drafting up a 320a meter with 2 disconnects for 2 Seperate 200a panels going into the same mechanical room.Is it a code violation to have them in Seperate enclosures as shown in the mike holt photo? Mind you it's coming from a stanchion 60 feet off the house.
Does the 2 feeders need to be in the same panel or enclosure? I'm having trouble finding a 320 meter with 2 built in 200a breakers
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Yes they need to originate from the same enclosure. Don't put multiple disconnects for a single building at a remote structure. You can run multiple sets of service conductors from the meter to the building (and terminate into two disconnects there if you wish), but not two feeders if those feeders are sourced in different enclosures. If you have to have a service disconnect at the remote stanchion, then you need a 400A one.

Once you have the disconnects at the remote building, you can split it all you want if the final destination isn't near the perimeter of the building where the service conductors land.
 
If it were me I would allow those two disconnects grouped with the meter to be considered the same 'distribution equipment' but if you don’t know what the AHJ will say you should ask them or do a different plan.

Simplest is just to eliminate the disconnects at the meter and go to main breaker panels as service equipment at the house.
 
If you cant extend service perhaps a 350A breaker as the service disconnect / Feeder OCPD in a 3R enclosure at the stanchion, then one large feeder (or two outdoor feeder taps of unlimited length) to your two 200A NEC 225.31 disconnects on or in the dwelling.
 
suemarkp said:
Yes they need to originate from the same enclosure. Don't put multiple disconnects for a single building at a remote structure. You can run multiple sets of service conductors from the meter to the building (and terminate into two disconnects there if you wish), but not two feeders if those feeders are sourced in different enclosures. If you have to have a service disconnect at the remote stanchion, then you need a 400A one.

Once you have the disconnects at the remote building, you can split it all you want if the final destination isn't near the perimeter of the building where the service conductors land.
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I was going to do multiple service conductors, but the area I'm terminating into the house is 20 feet away from the panels. So I need over current protection on them.originally was supposed to terminate right into the panels but they encountered some issues with the trenching...thank you for your time and advice ..means alot

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jaggedben said:
If it were me I would allow those two disconnects grouped with the meter to be considered the same 'distribution equipment' but if you don’t know what the AHJ will say you should ask them or do a different plan.

Simplest is just to eliminate the disconnects at the meter and go to main breaker panels as service equipment at the house.
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I agree.. they are right next to each other,grouped in the same location..I understand if they were in different areas

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tortuga said:
If you cant extend service perhaps a 350A breaker as the service disconnect / Feeder OCPD in a 3R enclosure at the stanchion, then one large feeder (or two outdoor feeder taps of unlimited length) to your two 200A NEC 225.31 disconnects on or in the dwelling.
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I think I'm going to go with your option.. 320 meter, Into a 400a fused disconnect, then 2 feeder taps out to my panels...would that comply?

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RdmanElect said:
I think I'm going to go with your option.. 320 meter, Into a 400a fused disconnect, then 2 feeder taps out to my panels...would that comply?

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In my opinion yes as long as you follow the provisions in 240.21(B)(5) for outside feeder taps of unlimited length.
The last time I did it I got a 3R enclosure that had a 400A frame breaker with a 350A trip unit, as the utility had some bizarre restriction that would not allow a single 400A breaker but allowed two 200A breakers. 350A also works out good for 500kCMIL AL.
 
VirutalElectrician said:
I believe 2023 changed to now allow what is in the first photo. I have done it myself, as well as seen many similar setups on YT videos.
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There was no change in 2023 to 225.30(B), the section quoted and discussed above. The issue still hinges on whether two grouped disconnects in separate enclosures can be considered to be one instance of "distribution equipment".

If AHJs are approving such a setup it's either because they are unaware of the code nuance, or because they share my opinion (see post #3) that the difference is not meaningful. 'Distribution equipment' is not explicitly defined in the NEC so it can really be a matter of interpretation, Mike Holt's opinion notwithstanding.
 
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