400 amp service for two 200 amp load centers

[Tom Cat]

I am getting ready to provide service and rough in to my son in law's automotive shop. A 200 amp service is fine for now but will probably be too small for the future (once he gets air compressors, lifts, welder's, etc.). Therefore, I am planning to request a single phase 400 amp service and meter base from the Power provider to service two 200 amp 40 circuit load centers via a single trough using split bolt connectors with 600 mcm cable from the meter base and 4/0 cable for each load center. As to my question; does the NEC allow the main 200 amp breakers in the load centers to be sufficient for disconnects or am I going to have to have two separate disconnects between the meter base and load centers. I have read section 220, 230, 408 and 404 of the NEC and can't get a definite answer to my question. I am wondering of somebody out there has split a service like this in their past and has it been approved by the respective LCO (Local Code Officer).

 

[Dennis Alwon]

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