gear for a 320A service feeding 3 panels

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nick h

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I'm trying to feed 3 panels in duplex from a 320A pedestal service. One panel will be on the second floor for the upper unit, one will be on the first floor for that unit, and one will be in the basement for the hot water tanks and AC units. My original thought was a 400A disconnect outside and then take from the load side of that to each panel but i haven't come across anything that looks like it will fit 3 sets of wires. Second thought was come out of a disconnect and hit a main lug 400A or 320A rated main lug panel with room to feed 3 panels. I'm just having a hard time coming up with the proper gear. Any suggestions?
 
I think the cheapest way to do it is going to be with the disconnect with the proper lug and 3 main breaker panels... again any suggestions are appreciated.
 
petersonra said:
how about three feedt hrough panels inside. they can all be run in series from the disconnect.[/QUOTE

are 320A rated bus feed through panels common? also wouldn't i have to carry a conductor that can support the entire load if i feed it in series? or am i thinking of it all wrong?
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nick h said:
I'm trying to feed 3 panels in duplex from a 320A pedestal service. One panel will be on the second floor for the upper unit, one will be on the first floor for that unit, and one will be in the basement for the hot water tanks and AC units. My original thought was a 400A disconnect outside and then take from the load side of that to each panel but i haven't come across anything that looks like it will fit 3 sets of wires. Second thought was come out of a disconnect and hit a main lug 400A or 320A rated main lug panel with room to feed 3 panels. I'm just having a hard time coming up with the proper gear. Any suggestions?
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That's what I would do but forget the disconnect, just buy a 400 amp panel with a main and room for the three feeders to the other panels.
 
I'm unsure of what a 320A "pedestal service" is. Since you used 320 instead of a number that matches 240.6, I'm assuming you are talking about the meterbase.

BTW, what is a 320A "pedestal service"?


Edit:
Okay, I looked up pedestal service and I see it's a meter and disconnect in one enclosure. Well, I think this is the wrong equipment for what you are trying to accomplish.

I like your idea of the MLO, just drop the "pedestal" style and install the a 320A meterbase and the MLO.

I am curious as to why you are not separately metering the dwellings?
 
Where is the pedestal in relation to the building?

Does it contain the service disconnecting means?

Gets more questionable to use the multiple occupancy allowances for separate feeders or services when part of the load for each occupancy is located in a common area.

ETA: if it is acceptable way to connect this, find a lug that will accept thee conductors or Polaris connectors to make the connections, if no room in the pedestal then in a separate junction box.
 
oldsparky52 said:
I'm unsure of what a 320A "pedestal service" is. Since you used 320 instead of a number that matches 240.6, I'm assuming you are talking about the meterbase.

BTW, what is a 320A "pedestal service"?


Edit:
Okay, I looked up pedestal service and I see it's a meter and disconnect in one enclosure. Well, I think this is the wrong equipment for what you are trying to accomplish.

I like your idea of the MLO, just drop the "pedestal" style and install the a 320A meterbase and the MLO.

I am curious as to why you are not separately metering the dwellings?
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Let me clarify a bit on what i'm doing. I'm planning on building a pedestal out of pressure treated 6x6's and 2x6's to mount my gear on. The pedestal will be located about 10ft or less off the back side of the building. This way i can install my service equipment so there is temporary jobsite power available. I was thinking a single position meter channel that would feed my service disconnecting means whether it be one large fused service rated disconnect, or a main breaker load center that i would feed my panels out of. In the past I have typically put equipment on the side of the structure unless it was a large padmounted switchgear but it seems to be more standard where i am to use a "pedestal" to provide jobsite power as the structure is being built.

As for the metering it is being used as company housing so the owner just wants one meter.

thanks for the input.
 
nick h said:
Let me clarify a bit on what i'm doing. I'm planning on building a pedestal out of pressure treated 6x6's and 2x6's to mount my gear on. The pedestal will be located about 10ft or less off the back side of the building. This way i can install my service equipment so there is temporary jobsite power available. I was thinking a single position meter channel that would feed my service disconnecting means whether it be one large fused service rated disconnect, or a main breaker load center that i would feed my panels out of. In the past I have typically put equipment on the side of the structure unless it was a large padmounted switchgear but it seems to be more standard where i am to use a "pedestal" to provide jobsite power as the structure is being built.

As for the metering it is being used as company housing so the owner just wants one meter.

thanks for the input.
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Did you check with AHJ if they will accept that setup - particularly with considering it to be part of the building even though it technically is a separate structure. If they will not consider it to be part of the building then you have violations in art 225 and multiple feeders to the separate structure, or even if you arrange so that you have one feeder and three disconnects - they are not grouped together, which may be acceptable if they allow you to use 225.30(B). but like I mentioned before you have two occupancies but then a panel that feeds equipment related to both occupancies, if it were just two occupancies or two occupancies plus house panel it may have better chance of being accepted this way.
 
kwired said:
Did you check with AHJ if they will accept that setup - particularly with considering it to be part of the building even though it technically is a separate structure. If they will not consider it to be part of the building then you have violations in art 225 and multiple feeders to the separate structure, or even if you arrange so that you have one feeder and three disconnects - they are not grouped together, which may be acceptable if they allow you to use 225.30(B). but like I mentioned before you have two occupancies but then a panel that feeds equipment related to both occupancies, if it were just two occupancies or two occupancies plus house panel it may have better chance of being accepted this way.
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I'm in the very early stages of planning. I'm meeting with the power company this week, and plan to meet with the inspector next week. I was curious about feeding multiple circuits to the same building from a pedestal so thank you for adding that. With that being said couldnt i mount the meter on the pedestal, and then feed a temporary panel out of it. Once the exterior of the building is complete i could mount either a disconnect, or load center on the building itself. I feel as though the electric company may want me to put a disconnect next to their meter on the pedestal as well, but i can clear that up when i talk to them.
 
Whether disconnect is required or not by POCO, I would likely build some sort of temp structure to mount meter (and if necessary disconnect) that can be pulled out and then fasten to the building when it is to a point it can be attached to the building. Can either fasten something to foundation, set some posts really close to foundation, or even put in temporary other temp supports if there is part of structure there already. Done that many times, looks nicer to have that equipment on the building than to have something a few feet away to have to walk around, mow around, etc. when all is completed.
 
kwired said:
Whether disconnect is required or not by POCO, I would likely build some sort of temp structure to mount meter (and if necessary disconnect) that can be pulled out and then fasten to the building when it is to a point it can be attached to the building. Can either fasten something to foundation, set some posts really close to foundation, or even put in temporary other temp supports if there is part of structure there already. Done that many times, looks nicer to have that equipment on the building than to have something a few feet away to have to walk around, mow around, etc. when all is completed.
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I agree, I would much rather have it on the building. Thank you for the input!
 
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