400 amp service with one 200 amp panel

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Greg1707

Senior Member
Location
Alexandria, VA
Occupation
Business owner Electrical contractor
Customer has an existing 200 amp service. POCO will install an underground service free if upsized to 400 amps. The plan is to install new 400 amp meter base and one 200 amp disconnect next to the new meter. Does anyone see a problem with this?
 
Won't the POCO (Dominion?) want a load letter? They base free upsizing on selling more power.

I recently increased a 200a service to a 400/320a service to add a second panel for a tankless water heater with four 40a circuits, and Dominion did not upsize their underground conductors.

Also, why is any upsizing needed for an existing 200a service that will remain a 200a service?
 
LarryFine said:
Won't the POCO (Dominion?) want a load letter? They base free upsizing on selling more power.

I recently increased a 200a service to a 400/320a service to add a second panel for a tankless water heater with four 40a circuits, and Dominion did not upsize their underground conductors.

Also, why is any upsizing needed for an existing 200a service that will remain a 200a service?
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Good questions. At their request we provided a load letter. All I know is free underground if we upgrade to 400 amps! Go Dominion Power!
 
Greg1707 said:
Good questions. At their request we provided a load letter. All I know is free underground if we upgrade to 400 amps! Go Dominion Power!
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You need to add a second panel or main disconnect or you have not upgraded the service. You don't have to add loads but, IMO the panel will need to be there
 
Dennis Alwon said:
You need to add a second panel or main disconnect or you have not upgraded the service. You don't have to add loads but, IMO the panel will need to be there
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I'm thinking the load does need to increase, or there's no incentive for Dominion Power.
 
LarryFine said:
I'm thinking the load does need to increase, or there's no incentive for Dominion Power.
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How would they know... You tell them you will be adding car chargers at a later date. Idk. I have actually done what I proposed and it worked here in NC.
 
All I was required to do was add a 2nd disconnect. I've done that twice. Customers had plans for future loads but no certain date.
 
I don't see an issue with the one 200A disconnect but it seems more of a question for the POCO and what their minimum requirements are. It does make it more difficult down the line if you choose to later add the second disconnect though, so I'd be inclined to add it now.
 
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