Situation:
Installing a 20kw Generac generator with 200 Amp service rated Nexus smart transfer switch. (already been through the threads about weather or not to separate the DC control and AC feeder conductors - What a headache)
Existing service setup:
Main distribution panel is on an interior wall that forms a T with the exterior wall. Main service cable is 4/0 SE fed through the rear knockout of the meter base passing through probably three studs before it hits the main panel. Poco feed is underground service lateral (see photo)
SER vs/ Conduit
I'm planning to bring the new 4-wire service feed out of the bottom of the transfer switch through a 2' length of 2" PVC, LB into the crawl space then come back up under the main panel. Still deciding between sleeved SER or full run of conduit to the panel using #2/0 CU. It will be about a 15' run of cable for both methods.
-Advantage of SER: Less labor, no need to worry about coming up dead center beneath the main panel, as there are existing cables there.
-Minor hitch with SER: Bending radius not kosher with 338.24 for even the biggest LB, though I've never seen it enforced here in VA on services. I can fit it in a big $$ 2-1/2" lb without using a sledgehammer (I tried it at Lowes ). I could maybe use a 90 elbow but that would likely involve hours of messy hammer drilling and patch work on the brick to get it to come out level with the surface.
-Advantage of full conduit run: No problems with bending radius using 2/0 thhn cu. Looks nifty from inside the crawl space .
-Disadvantage of full conduit run: More labor and $$, (will need to sleeve up beneath the panel in sections)
The Meter base:
Removing the old SE cable will leave the knockout abandoned so If I keep the existing meter base, I'll need to plug the knockout with a $$ seal tight plug. And then patch the hole in the wall. Of course, to do that I'd have to remove the meter base from the wall. So, looks like I'll need to call Dominion anyway to have them de-energize the socket so I can safely work on it. Also, if you look closely at the photo, whoever installed the enclosure didn't use the engineered mounting holes. They just drove masonry nails straight through the back. So the base is flush against the wall with no clearance behind it.
I'm not sure if Dominion power carries an offset meter socket theses days. I know that model's been retired for a wile (ring lugs instead of the "lay-in and clamp" type). All the new one's that I've installed are centered. They also restrict which knockouts were're allowed to use. So I might be better off staying with this one.
Comments? Suggestions?
Installing a 20kw Generac generator with 200 Amp service rated Nexus smart transfer switch. (already been through the threads about weather or not to separate the DC control and AC feeder conductors - What a headache)
Existing service setup:
Main distribution panel is on an interior wall that forms a T with the exterior wall. Main service cable is 4/0 SE fed through the rear knockout of the meter base passing through probably three studs before it hits the main panel. Poco feed is underground service lateral (see photo)
SER vs/ Conduit
I'm planning to bring the new 4-wire service feed out of the bottom of the transfer switch through a 2' length of 2" PVC, LB into the crawl space then come back up under the main panel. Still deciding between sleeved SER or full run of conduit to the panel using #2/0 CU. It will be about a 15' run of cable for both methods.
-Advantage of SER: Less labor, no need to worry about coming up dead center beneath the main panel, as there are existing cables there.
-Minor hitch with SER: Bending radius not kosher with 338.24 for even the biggest LB, though I've never seen it enforced here in VA on services. I can fit it in a big $$ 2-1/2" lb without using a sledgehammer (I tried it at Lowes ). I could maybe use a 90 elbow but that would likely involve hours of messy hammer drilling and patch work on the brick to get it to come out level with the surface.
-Advantage of full conduit run: No problems with bending radius using 2/0 thhn cu. Looks nifty from inside the crawl space .
-Disadvantage of full conduit run: More labor and $$, (will need to sleeve up beneath the panel in sections)
The Meter base:
Removing the old SE cable will leave the knockout abandoned so If I keep the existing meter base, I'll need to plug the knockout with a $$ seal tight plug. And then patch the hole in the wall. Of course, to do that I'd have to remove the meter base from the wall. So, looks like I'll need to call Dominion anyway to have them de-energize the socket so I can safely work on it. Also, if you look closely at the photo, whoever installed the enclosure didn't use the engineered mounting holes. They just drove masonry nails straight through the back. So the base is flush against the wall with no clearance behind it.
I'm not sure if Dominion power carries an offset meter socket theses days. I know that model's been retired for a wile (ring lugs instead of the "lay-in and clamp" type). All the new one's that I've installed are centered. They also restrict which knockouts were're allowed to use. So I might be better off staying with this one.
Comments? Suggestions?
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