brad troxel said:
I haven't done any condo's and we have a good size unit coming up. 20 units at 4000sq.ft each, my question has to do with service equipment and layout. I can do the load calc, but as to how the layout would look would you have one service with all the meters and disconnects in them or a couple of services?
I'd drive around, and see what normally flies in your neighborhood. It's practically free, and you'll have a better picture of what you're shooting for. The power company has requirements. The AHJ has requirements. Before going too far, confirm that your load calc is good enough, or if an engineer must stamp the one-line and calcs.
Generally, the 400A services I build for the sixplexes I wire are cold sequence, which means the watt-hour-meters are
after the main disconnect. (The meters can be removed 'cold'.) You need to see what the POCO accepts, hot or cold sequence.
I guess I'm not sure how that's down, what type of equipment is out there? do they make service equipment with that many meters?
Yes, we use
Square D "EZ Meterpacks" which are gangable. For a 20-plex, you'll have 21 meters (20 plus house panel).
Suppose it winds up being two services around 800A apiece. You'd have the 800A disconnect, which consists of a molded case switch (ie breaker without overcurrent protection) and a pair of fuses. The disconnect bolts to the meter modules. So, depending on exactly what's out there, you'd wind up with a five meter module, a four meter module, and a three meter module, for 12 meters. Or a 6 and a 6, or what have you. They're modular.
Next to each meter is a space for a breaker, for the feeder to the dwelling unit.
Note: This is for a Northern Colorado Multifamily Service. It can be wildly different across the country, but this perhaps will get you rolling in the right direction. You need to talk to your suppliers, and get a feel for what you need. The right supply guys know the POCO requirements (because unapproved merchandise doesn't sell). Use them.
Hope that helps.
