400 Amp Service

[Jacobs Electric]

In my 15 years of being in the trade in some sorts I have never done a 400 amp service. I have been putting together an estimate on the largest house I have ever bid on and 200Amp is not sufficent. Can some one guide me on the difference? It is underground, the power company spec book gives me a good start. I guess I'm looking for the unwritten things that I may not have to learn the hardway!

 

[iwire]

Plan on two 200 amp panels not one 400 amp

 

[Dennis Alwon]

In my 15 years of being in the trade in some sorts I have never done a 400 amp service. I have been putting together an estimate on the largest house I have ever bid on and 200Amp is not sufficent. Can some one guide me on the difference? It is underground, the power company spec book gives me a good start. I guess I'm looking for the unwritten things that I may not have to learn the hardway!

Use as many sub panels as you can to make it an efficient job. Normally one would use a 400 amp meter base -often called a 320amp base--with 2 200 amp panels as Bob suggested. They also make an all in one meter base panel combo. It is a 400 amp meter base with 2-200 amp breakers that you would use to feed other panels.