Neutral/Ground service conductor sizing

[sparky_pdx]

Hi,
1st time poster. I'm a journeyman electrician in Portland. Mostly do residential, but have a commercial question. New 200A service, meterbase
& mast @ front of building, 60' pipe outside wall, LB directly to panel inside.
Power company wants a metermain instead of meterbase. Already have 3 wire service conductor, 4/0, 4/0, 2/0 Al. Per tables in 250, I'm pretty sure I can just add a #4 Cu Ground into pipe & seperate Neutral & Ground bus in Panel. Just wanna be sure. I noticed that 4w, 200A SER cable has 4/0, 4/0, 4/0, 2/0 Al. 1 other quick question, bonding of gas & water pipe can happen anywhere, not just 5' from entrance.
Thanks in advance.
Sparky

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

Is the 2/0 a bare conductor?
If so, that would not be permitted past the 1st means of disconnect. Pull in another insulated conductor and use that as the neutral conductor.

 

[LarryFine]

The NEC would not require the external main disconnect, but if the POCO does, it does.

Yes, you could use SER between the combo and the interior panel; as long as the neutral is insulated beyond the main disconnect, as Pierre mentioned.

The water pipe can be bonded anywhere. Using it as an electrode requires the 5-ft limit.

Gas, I'm not sure. Typically, the EGC of the circuit "likely to energize" the pipe is adequate bonding.

 

[iwire]

The NEC would not require the external main disconnect,

I would say that is up to each AHJ.

 

[sparky_pdx]

The 2/0 AL neutral I already have is insulated with a yellow stripe.
We're driving 2 ground rods for Ground Electrode & #4 for the GEC,
as well as #4 Cu for the bonding of gas & water.
Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it...

 

[DaveTap]

I'm confused you have an existing (new) 200A meterbase installed and they're making you swap it out? What's their reasoning? Are they supplying the meter-main? They didn't even give you the option of adding an outdoor disconnect?

When you say 60' pipe... I assume 60' RMC mast why use SER? Is it even allowed in conduit? (Sorry 25 years running pipe have never used SER... only even seen it a few times)

 

[Bob NH]

"Mostly do residential, but have a commercial question. New 200A service, . . . Power company wants a metermain instead of meterbase. Already have 3 wire service conductor, 4/0, 4/0, 2/0 Al."

My reading of 310.15(B)(6) and Table 310.15(B)(6) is that 4/0 Al is allowed for 200 Amp ungrounded conductors in dwelling services only.

I suppose it might be possible to use a 200 Amp breaker for 4/0 Al under provisions of 240.6.

 

[iwire]

I suppose it might be possible to use a 200 Amp breaker for 4/0 Al under provisions of 240.6.

As long as his calculated load is under 180 amps he can use 240.4(B) and 240.6 to install a 200 amp service with 4/0 AL.