I looked at a job today to install transfer switch for a generator and all that comes along with that. Tricky part is it’s a 200amp service in a meter main type panel. Is the best route to put a 200 amp breaker in that panel and then send to transfer switch and a second panel? There’s no way to separate the incoming feed from the meter portion of the meter main panel and send it to transfer switch. The customer wants to power entire house and I’m trying to find the best way to get them what they want without having to change out the existing meter main. Thanks for any ideas and thoughts.
How to land on breaker
- Thread starter Crash117
- Start date
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Unfortunately, yes. Meter-mains and ATSs don't play well together.
200a branch-circuit breakers aren't easy to find in all brands/types.
No approved way, although it has been debated and has been done.
There are forum threads showing pics of it being done rather well.
I’ve looked at 200 amp breakers and all appear to be parallel type feed with double output on the breaker. Are there parallel kits for these or do you run 2 sets or parallel wires at a reduced size. So for a 200 amp service could you use parallel 2 gauge as opposed to a single 2/0?
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Smallest conductor allowed to parallel os 1/0
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
No, but there are 4-pole breakers with alternate poles already jumpered, but not in all brands.
Seven-Delta-FortyOne
Goin’ Down In Flames........
- Location
- Humboldt
- Occupation
- EC and GC
200A meter/main is a pain.
What I’m doing now, and keep in mind all we have is Eaton up here, is use a feed-through lug kit, feed the ATS, install a 200A MLO sub-panel, and feed the circuits through a piece of gutter from the sub-panel.
It’s expensive, complicated, and takes a couple days to do.
What I’m doing now, and keep in mind all we have is Eaton up here, is use a feed-through lug kit, feed the ATS, install a 200A MLO sub-panel, and feed the circuits through a piece of gutter from the sub-panel.
It’s expensive, complicated, and takes a couple days to do.
jaggedben
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern California
- Occupation
- Solar and Energy Storage Installer
And very badly.
Seven-Delta-FortyOne
Goin’ Down In Flames........
- Location
- Humboldt
- Occupation
- EC and GC
I, and several other ECs in this area, used to intercept the wires or bars, depending on the panel configuration, feed a SE-Rated ATS, and then back into the main panel.
PG&E has been getting fussy about that, and some panels, ones labeled “for service entrance only”, it’s technically a violation to separate the N-G bond in that panel and add a neutral bar.
For ones that are not so labeled, our local inspectors have allowed the intercept method, but it’s getting too complicated, and I will no longer do them like that.
PG&E has been getting fussy about that, and some panels, ones labeled “for service entrance only”, it’s technically a violation to separate the N-G bond in that panel and add a neutral bar.
For ones that are not so labeled, our local inspectors have allowed the intercept method, but it’s getting too complicated, and I will no longer do them like that.
- Location
- Tennessee NEC:2017
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrician
Where is "up here"?
Seven-Delta-FortyOne
Goin’ Down In Flames........
- Location
- Humboldt
- Occupation
- EC and GC
Humboldt. Far Northern California.