Hey Guys- Not sure what they are asking

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radiopet

radiopet

Senior Member
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Spotsylvania, VA
Hey fella's..

I got this request on my board and quite frankly I am trying to figure out what they are asking and figured you all may have some comments on it also.

I gather he is trying to save money and be able to switch out his power to different meters BUT I dont think the use of the transfer switch is proper but I cant gather all they are asking...I have never ran into the request regarding this before....any thoughts

Most of the discussions involving transfer switches are related to using generators as the second source of power. I have a 400 rated service feed that has 2- 200 amp rated mains, separately metered. I want to install a manual "double throw" or transfer switch after these meters to allow either of these sources to supply a single load (200A) . Do you see any problems with this? I have looked at a Square D 82254 online- - - this type of box seems pricey, but maybe I am stuck with that . I did see a similar switch that did not have nuetral lugs-- - is there a way to make that work? It seems to me that I need a box that will have the nuetral switched along with the hots, is that correct? (I am confused where a panel without nuetral lugs would be used) My reason for doing this is to balance the energy bill. One meter sits idle while the entire monthly kw's used gets billed to the other meter. the cost here are "tiered" so the cost per kw goes up after a baseline allowance. If I switch which meter is reading the usage every 2 weeks, the cost per kw is reduced significantly. Any comments?
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I have a 400 rated service feed that has 2- 200 amp rated mains, separately metered.
One meter sits idle while the entire monthly kw's used gets billed to the other meter.
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What happens when the other tenant space is in use again?

Not enough info here Paul, but you know that.
 
Actually that is kind of common with with some customers that are interested on maintaining service, but they use double ended switchgear with a tie breaker in the middle. Usually 'Kirk Keys' are used to insure proper sequencing but with an actual transfer switch that is not an issue.
 
iwire said:
I see no NEC issue at all with the info provided.
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Nor do I. As I read it this install leaves a tenant space without juice.

allow either of these sources to supply a single load (200A)
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So hit the transfer switch from one meter to the normal lugs and from the other meter to the EM lugs. No problem.

Load side feeds one 200A load. The other load is... well.....

Edit: Didn't catch Bob's 2nd post.
 
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Thanks guys....I did not have as much an NEC issue with it but more so the fact i have never seen it done.
My concern also was the way he presented it i felt it was a 400A service and two meters on a single dwelling....and figured he had circuits in both panels so was he redoing the entire set up or is what ever is in one panel dead when the other is working......also is their a problem with the rating of the transfer switch...where is the other power source....maybe i just dont understand the install....sorry.
 
kinda why I wanted to post it here....I know the POCO in our area wont allow it per their BlueBook....atleast thats what they tell me but I was hard pressed to find any NEC issues other than making sure about the rating of the equipment for use as service equipment and such.

I understand what he is trying to do and I see the two rates thing being appealing but based on the original question...I really dont know if this is a single unit or multiple units.....as some dwellings do have two meters if they are will to pay the fee for both.....or I have seen them for service and one for water heater and so on.....

Just never had anyone ask about this type of application but i can see with the prices of gas and so on people will try to save all they can I guess.
 
I am thinking that a service rated double throw would work here. Unusual but I don't see a code issue here. You are right, Dominion PoCo In Richmond would not approve. They questioned the Meterbase I used because it wasn't on his list.

Rick
 
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