My local power company is telling me that I can not use a 320 amp meter can to feed two 200 amp load centers that are mounted next to the meter can. The 320 amp can has double-lugs mounted on the load side of the can. I can not find anything in the code book. Is anyone aware of this?
Meter Can
- Thread starter LarryRPE
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welcome to the forum.
the use of the 320 amp meter can for (2) 200 amp panels in fairly commonplace in many areas I've seen, but POCO has the call as far as determining their requirements. I don't kmow of a Code section that would assist you.
the use of the 320 amp meter can for (2) 200 amp panels in fairly commonplace in many areas I've seen, but POCO has the call as far as determining their requirements. I don't kmow of a Code section that would assist you.
Cow
Senior Member
- Location
- Eastern Oregon
- Occupation
- Electrician
This is a very common installation practice. Did you ask them what a 320 amp MB should feed?
al hildenbrand
Senior Member
- Location
- Minnesota
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor, Electrical Consultant, Electrical Engineer
My PoCo, and most PoCos, have a publication that details their requirements. Many of these requirements are little more than historic business practice. They can conflict with the NEC.
I'd add the most current edition (probably readily availble online at their website) to my required reading list.
Thanks guys, I was going crazy trying to find a nec ruling. I guess I will have to comply with the poco if I want it energized.
- Location
- Massachusetts
I agree with the others but was wondering if you have explained to the power company that the rating of those two 200 amp panels matches the rating of the 320 meter socket exactly
320 amps continuous 400 amps max.
320 amps continuous 400 amps max.
al hildenbrand
Senior Member
- Location
- Minnesota
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor, Electrical Consultant, Electrical Engineer
You're welcome,And Welcome to the Forum, Larry!
:smile:
charlie
Senior Member
- Location
- Indianapolis
As you can tell, your serving electric utility is wrong. Whenever I hear that a company is telling someone something, I have to ask, "Who is telling you this?" Unless it is in writing, it is not the company but a person who probably doesn't know and you need to go around the roadblock. We publish our requirements and, I would bet, your serving electric utility does also. Take a look here at GB1-100 in our Goldbook. I like iwire's line, "320 amps continuous 400 amps max." :smile:
This particular application is a service increase from 200 amps to 320 amps. The existing service is 200 amps with an exterior 200 amp MLO panel that feeds one interior panel, A/C and water heater loads. It has four 2-pole circuit breakers in the panel. I am adding another 200 amp MLO with the 320 meter can. The new or second panel will feed a garage with a 60 amp circuit and pool pump panel also fed from a 60 amp breaker. This will total six main disconnect switches. The poco engineer has per approved the installation, when its time to energize he decides that the meter can not feed two panels
charlie
Senior Member
- Location
- Indianapolis
Larry, talk to this guy's supervisor. If you can't get through to him, find out who is the supervisor of the Distribution Engineering Department and talk to that person. It wouldn't hurt to print out this whole thread to present to them. I really believe that you are talking to a service lineman or a field supervisor who is trying to use common sense but that doesn't apply here. :smile:
charlie
Senior Member
- Location
- Indianapolis
This wouldn't be in Southern Company Services, Inc. service territory would it?
busman
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern Virginia
- Occupation
- Master Electrician / Electrical Engineer
Forgive my ignorance, but what's a wireway got to do with the rating of the meter can? I agree with Bob, 320/400 with two panels is the standard here.
Mark
Mark
This is not about 2+2+4. Its about the total connected load.
Are you saying the connected load exceeds the meter cans rating? That would be a different issue than the meter can serving 2 panels.
Roger
No Roger, I am saying the existing panel is full. I want to add another panel.
The existing 200 amp service is approximately at 70% capacity. I am increasing it to a 320 and adding a panel next to the existing one.
busman
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern Virginia
- Occupation
- Master Electrician / Electrical Engineer
I was responding to this. I'm still lost as to why he wants a wireway for the two panels. Is he saying he wants one set of service entrance conductors and one of the panels to have feed-thru lugs to feed the other panel. I'm confused.
Mark
He is saying that the meter can should only have one set of feeders on the load side but can not produce any specifications from the poco.
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