400 amp - dividing into two 200 amp circuits - drawing with parts

[SunnyMan100]

Hello,
As all main electric panels for 2 meter sockets (400 amp incoming 1 phase, 240 v to two 200 amp meter sockets for service two office suites) are back ordered since last year. We are stuck where we have the building and no meter panel to service the building.
I was wondering if anyone know or have built up such an arrangement using 3 panel boxes as follows:
1) One main 400 amp 240 v panel box with two branch circuits
2) Two 200 amp meter socket boxes for serving the two branch circuits

If you have built or know how to build one using off the shelf electric panel boxes, please let me know what parts I need to do this.
I have talked to my electric company and they are ok if I provide them the drawing with part numbers.
Any other alternate suggestions that will work is greatly appreciated

Thanks,
Sunny

 

[petersonra]

how would you be planning to get around the prohibition on having more than one feeder serving a structure?

 

[electrofelon]

how would you be planning to get around the prohibition on having more than one feeder serving a structure?

OP didn't say, but this would only be an issue if the meters are remote from the structure. Even then, I think there were changes in 2020 that allow two feeders.

 

[LarryFine]

how would you be planning to get around the prohibition on having more than one feeder serving a structure?

Same as one meter feeding two main disconnects. Here, he would have two meters after the split instead of one before it. I would think any temporary enclosure with appropriate insulated splices would work.

Your POCO's approved standard 200a meter sockets should work, and they know the parts. This basically sounds like you'd be building a typical duplex-building style service, only it's (hopefully) for temporary use.

 

[electrofelon]

Hello,
As all main electric panels for 2 meter sockets (400 amp incoming 1 phase, 240 v to two 200 amp meter sockets for service two office suites) are back ordered since last year. We are stuck where we have the building and no meter panel to service the building.
I was wondering if anyone know or have built up such an arrangement using 3 panel boxes as follows:
1) One main 400 amp 240 v panel box with two branch circuits
2) Two 200 amp meter socket boxes for serving the two branch circuits

If you have built or know how to build one using off the shelf electric panel boxes, please let me know what parts I need to do this.
I have talked to my electric company and they are ok if I provide them the drawing with part numbers.
Any other alternate suggestions that will work is greatly appreciated

Thanks,
Sunny

Your description is kind of confusing. Can you just build it out of separate meter sockets rather than a single multi gang socket?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Hello,
As all main electric panels for 2 meter sockets (400 amp incoming 1 phase, 240 v to two 200 amp meter sockets for service two office suites) are back ordered since last year. We are stuck where we have the building and no meter panel to service the building.
I was wondering if anyone know or have built up such an arrangement using 3 panel boxes as follows:
1) One main 400 amp 240 v panel box with two branch circuits
2) Two 200 amp meter socket boxes for serving the two branch circuits

If you have built or know how to build one using off the shelf electric panel boxes, please let me know what parts I need to do this.
I have talked to my electric company and they are ok if I provide them the drawing with part numbers.
Any other alternate suggestions that will work is greatly appreciated

Thanks,
Sunny

Why aren't you asking your electrician. He should be able to work this out for you. If I understand what you are asking then this is done often... One 400 amp meter base and 2- 200 amp wp panels to each side of the base.

 

[LarryFine]

Why aren't you asking your electrician. He should be able to work this out for you. If I understand what you are asking then this is done often... One 400 amp meter base and 2- 200 amp wp panels to each side of the base.

He's saying that there are no 400a meter bases available, but he got permission to use two 200a bases.

I'm suggesting he build what is effectively a typical duplex service.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

He's saying that there are no 400a meter bases available, but he got permission to use two 200a bases.

I'm suggesting he build what is effectively a typical duplex service.

I thought he had meter mains. Well that would be the other option. 400 amp meter main to feed 2- inside ML 200 amp panels or exterior 200 amp ML panels

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I would not use 2- 200 amp meter bases as they will charge a monthly fee for the second meter base. What about using a CT cabinet with 2- 200 amp panels. Put a 100 amp meter base atop or below the CT cabinet.

 

[SunnyMan100]

how would you be planning to get around the prohibition on having more than one feeder serving a structure?

I wanted to clarify several questions asked by adding a diagram, but can't find how to attach a file to the post, it is all looking for a link and not a file on my computer

 

[SunnyMan100]

Have attached a drawing showing the layout in the above reply

 

[SunnyMan100]

He's saying that there are no 400a meter bases available, but he got permission to use two 200a bases.

I'm suggesting he build what is effectively a typical duplex service.

All meter bases that takes 400 amp service and splits into 2 x 200 amp meter sockets for serving 2 suites are backordered - MPH42200 from Square D or Siemens WP4212 are all back ordered and no one is giving an ETA for buying these. Hence, I am looking to building my own 400 amp main panel with load divider bus bars that will split to two 200 amp meter bases (these are available) and use cables to connect the two meter sockets from the main 400 amp panel and have CB disconnects at the main and for each meter base
I have a drawing showing this, but can't figure out how to attach to the post

 

[SunnyMan100]

Why aren't you asking your electrician. He should be able to work this out for you. If I understand what you are asking then this is done often... One 400 amp meter base and 2- 200 amp wp panels to each side of the base.

My Electrician is not an engineer and is not confidant of building this using off the shelf hardware

 

[SunnyMan100]

He's saying that there are no 400a meter bases available, but he got permission to use two 200a bases.

I'm suggesting he build what is effectively a typical duplex service.

Yes, I need a duplex service, but do not the part numbers for the 400 amp main panel that I need that will have a distributer to split the load into 2 x 200 amp branch circuits, and then I will use the single 200 amp meter socket panels and interconnect them with disconnects, essentially create the single combo duplex panels by using 3 panels

 

[Buck Parrish]

https://www.amazon.com/Siemens-WP4212-Position2-Position-Cover/dp/B00K245PN6/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=320+amp+meter+base&qid=1642030172&sr=8-7

It's three or four weeks out for this one

 

[topgone]

I would not use 2- 200 amp meter bases as they will charge a monthly fee for the second meter base. What about using a CT cabinet with 2- 200 amp panels. Put a 100 amp meter base atop or below the CT cabinet.

Good catch! Simple things that make you bleed more than if you have chosen to do it thinking out of the box! I believe your scheme is better. Using CTs, that is!

 

[SunnyMan100]

Good catch! Simple things that make you bleed more than if you have chosen to do it thinking out of the box! I believe your scheme is better. Using CTs, that is!

https://www.amazon.com/Siemens-WP4212-Position2-Position-Cover/dp/B00K245PN6/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=320+amp+meter+base&qid=1642030172&sr=8-7

It's three or four weeks out for this one

If you read all reviews carefully, these are mom and pop shops selling everything including these panels, and don't ship and take a while to return money. I ordered it with one such vendor who said it will ship immediately and they did not even confirm my order after full payment for days out, and I just canceled it. If you call all major electrical distributors, you will see the same scenario across board. All of these might be sitting on a ship in LA port waiting clearance from Customs (China trade embargo).
I have ordered this part with Lowes in Nov - 2021, and had delivery date of Jan-11, but now it has been pushed to March - 30th

 

[SunnyMan100]

I would not use 2- 200 amp meter bases as they will charge a monthly fee for the second meter base. What about using a CT cabinet with 2- 200 amp panels. Put a 100 amp meter base atop or below the CT cabinet.

Thanks, If you have a drawing with part numbers, that will be very helpful to understand and run it by my electric company

 

[Dennis Alwon]

It is really against the forum policy to be doing this. I would suggest getting a different electrician if he can't figure this out. This is not that difficult.

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