PG&E wants 3" PVC conduit on a underground service with 4/0AL XLPE

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ckbtiger

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This is a panel upgrade from 125 to 200A that currently has 2" stubbed up thru the foundation. Replacing this with a 3" will require the foundation to be enlarged, basically a ton of extra work. Any suggestions as to how to convince PG&E to let me use 2" as I have done on other panel upgrades?
 
It seems to me that worst case you should go to copper rather than cut out the foundation. Or is it POCO that is insisting on Al conductors?
 
PG&E is supplying the 50' feeder from the street box to my new panel, their wire. They charged me $1,516 for the engineering on this, just to get started - insane. I will email them requesting copper. Thanks
 
Talk to someone in their engineering or operations department to see if there is any leniency on that rule for your situation.

If there isn't, then you just have to do what you have to.
 
Cow said:
Talk to someone in their engineering or operations department to see if there is any leniency on that rule for your situation.

If there isn't, then you just have to do what you have to.
Click to expand...
Thanks
 
Their specs do call for a 3" PVC now, what is the calculated load on the service?
Could you get a 200A panel and install a 125A main for now?
I ran into this when installing a new 30Amp 120V service to a gate opener.
They would not budge.
 
tortuga said:
Their specs do call for a 3" PVC now, what is the calculated load on the service?
Could you get a 200A panel and install a 125A main for now?
I ran into this when installing a new 30Amp 120V service to a gate opener.
They would not budge.
Click to expand...

Installing a 125 panel might be my only option, other then destroying the foundation and or the wall under the panel. PGE is only looking at the 200 amp main breaker as the load. I am still waiting on a reply from PG&E to let me use copper.
 
I looked for a photo of my 30A 120V service with 3" PVC and two #8's , it was so funny looking I'll never forget it.
 
They are not going to give in on this. 3" has been spec for 20+ years. Copper vs Aluminum is not the issue. Aluminum will easily fit in the 2". The 3" spec is just their standard and they are responsible for installing and maintaining the conductors.

Your best option is to install a new surface mount panel next to the existing panel. A 3" will not fit inside a 2X4 wall anyway without a budge to the outside.

The other issue with upgrading the existing panel in the same location is timing. You will need to have the existing panel denergized. Install new panel with 3" conduit. Get city inspection. Trench. Get PG&E trench inspection. Back fill. Mandrel inspection. Get line crew scheduled to pull new wire. You will end up without power for weeks.
 
Even worse here. All 200A services, whether they are pulling #2 or 2/0, are to be 3". Mine is currently 2.5", so I'm not going to change it. I'm also finding it harder to find meter bases that take 3". They need to be about 1/4" deeper than all the previous ones that have been mass produced with 2.5" KO's.
 
Our power company has a us set a J box within 10 feet of the meter they supply up to that. we supply on for that. Would that help you
 

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ckbtiger said:
PG&E is supplying the 50' feeder from the street box to my new panel, their wire. They charged me $1,516 for the engineering on this, just to get started - insane. I will email them requesting copper. Thanks
Click to expand...

Why didn't the engineering show 3"? If it did why didn't you put it in?
 
Keep in mind many poco’s also limit the number of 90’s in the run too. I had one that limited it to two. If needed more, you would have to turn up into a pull box. They furnished and pulled the wire on that one too.
 
Move your point of first connection to their conductors to a place that works with 3".

Have had a POCO in this area that always pulls 4/0 aluminum to single phase services 200 amp or less. Application with single load that only needs a 30 amp circuit - you are going to need a 200 amp meter socket or you won't even be able to land the supply side conductors. You probably still will need 6 AWG load side conductors in the meter because that is likely as small of a conductor it will accept.

Same POCO wants 3 inch to three phase installs and even spare conduits buried for non dwelling applications.
 
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