800 amp disconnect

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nmbme

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What does the code say when having (4) 200 amp main breaker panels, being fed from the power companys 800 amp metering ( ct cabinet). Do we have to have a 800 amp disconnecting means servicing the 200 amp panels, or can they be fed directly from the CT Cabinet ?<< In a gutter , trough, pipe from the ct to the panels > the CT cabinet will not be directly behind all the 200 amp panels, but the CT will be located on side next to the 200 amp panels, about 5 feet away. If it is all in pvc,rigid, type work , would there be a need for the 800 amp disconnect ?
 
nmbme said:
What does the code say when having (4) 200 amp main breaker panels, being fed from the power companys 800 amp metering ( ct cabinet). Do we have to have a 800 amp disconnecting means servicing the 200 amp panels, or can they be fed directly from the CT Cabinet ?<< In a gutter , trough, pipe from the ct to the panels > the CT cabinet will not be directly behind all the 200 amp panels, but the CT will be located on side next to the 200 amp panels, about 5 feet away. If it is all in pvc,rigid, type work , would there be a need for the 800 amp disconnect ?
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You do not need an 800 amp main you may have up to 6 discos for the service. You can have 6- 200 amp panels fed from the ct cabinet.
 
We have had some areas where they made us put the main outside and it had to be a single main, Clark County NV comes to mind, but that was a few years ago!
 
OOOPPPSSS , I forgot to metion that this is a single family dwelling, wouldnt beable to use the 6 disc. rule
 
So if there are (4) 200 amp panels side by side inside a garage and the CT will be adjacet to the Panels on the outside about 5 feet away.As long as I install rigid pvc from the CT to a gutter box, sized accordingly, which would sit under alll the (4) 200 amp panels. I dont have to have a single throw, 800 amp disconnecting means in between my panels and my (power comp) ct cabinet?
 
nmbme said:
So if there are (4) 200 amp panels side by side inside a garage and the CT will be adjacet to the Panels on the outside about 5 feet away.As long as I install rigid pvc from the CT to a gutter box, sized accordingly, which would sit under alll the (4) 200 amp panels. I dont have to have a single throw, 800 amp disconnecting means in between my panels and my (power comp) ct cabinet?
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That is correct but some jurisdictions have an amendment that requires an outdoor disconnect. Even then you don't necessarily need one-- you can still have six. The NEC does not require the disco to be outside.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
That is correct but some jurisdictions have an amendment that requires an outdoor disconnect. Even then you don't necessarily need one-- you can still have six. The NEC does not require the disco to be outside.
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OK.... so what if my 200 amp panels ( 4 of them ) were not located near my ct , and I had to run some 4/0 alum or 2/0 copper S.E.R. from the 200 amp panels to the ct . Can I do that ?
 
nmbme said:
OK.... so what if my 200 amp panels ( 4 of them ) were not located near my ct , and I had to run some 4/0 alum or 2/0 copper S.E.R. from the 200 amp panels to the ct . Can I do that ?
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I am confused. Do you mean SEU cable and not SER. Take a look at art. 230.70

(A) Location. The service disconnecting means shall be installed in accordance with 230.70(A)(1), (A)(2), and (A)(3).
(1) Readily Accessible Location. The service disconnecting means shall be installed at a readily accessible location either outside of a building or structure or inside nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors.
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There is no distance given however many jurisdictions have their own rules on this. Around here you need a disco as soon as you can possibly terminate the conductors.

So you cannot have a CT cabinet and install SE cable 30 or 40 feet inside the building. Those conductors would be unfused and that would not be to code.
 
nmbme said:
OK.... so what if my 200 amp panels ( 4 of them ) were not located near my ct , and I had to run some 4/0 alum or 2/0 copper S.E.R. from the 200 amp panels to the ct . Can I do that ?
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In addition to taking 230.70 into account, 2/0 Cu SE would not be acceptable here as it is not the main power feeder and, as such, is rated at a maximum of 175 amps .
 
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