multiple services

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starsandstripes

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SE Michigan
I have a customer with a small 6 unit strip mall with one service lateral with six sets of conductors; one panel in each suite.
He wants to knock down one common wall between two units and make a large suite. Must I now feed one panel from the other in the large suite? Are there any rules regarding the size of a subpanel in relation to a main panel?
 
Re: multiple services

I think we are talking about having one panel feed from the MDP and a second panel feed from the first.

For this you have to do a load calculation on both of the panels. The second panel first, and make sure your feeder and breaker are sized correctly. Then add the load from the first panel, and be sure that the existing feeders are large enough for the whole two panel setup.

You can also use panels with feed through lugs.
 
Re: multiple services

Originally posted by starsandstripes:
He wants to knock down one common wall between two units and make a large suite. Must I now feed one panel from the other in the large suite?
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Not exactly.

230.40, Exception No. 2: Where two to six service disconnecting means in separate enclosures are grouped at one location and supply separate loads from one service drop or lateral, one set of service-entrance conductors shall be permitted to supply each or several such service equipment enclosures.
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I would say that you can have two seperate panels supplied by two different handles of the service, IMO.
 
Re: multiple services

In my area the problem would be the power company, they will not allow two meters of the same characteristics for one customer. I have no idea why but that is what we have here.

As far as feeding one from the other load calcs will have to be done.

If each unit needed 100 amps it is very likely the one big unit will need more than 100 amps. The HVAC, lighting and power load for each unit will remain unchanged with the removal of the wall.

I would plan on ripping out two 100 amp meters, installing one 200 amp meter and use that one 200 amp meter to feed both original 100 amp panels.
 
Re: multiple services

This type of situation happens here quite frequently. As where Bob works, the POCO here will ask for one of the meters to be removed, and then if you want, one panel can be supplied from another.
 
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