Reducing conduit size going into load center panel?

[mystereons41]

Hi, as some of you may know I’m working on a project to install a meter pedestal at my land. I’ll most likely be using 500 kcmil wire and 3” conduit as the run to the build site is fairly long (300-350 ft). I’ll be using a meter / load center combo with feed through lugs. The ones I have found so far at Lowe’s have a max 2.5” or 2” knockouts. Am I allowed to reduce the 3” conduit immediately before the load center? Or do I need to find a load center with larger knockouts?

 

[sameguy]

Hole saw?
Make sure the locknut and ground bushing will fit.

 

[mystereons41]

Hole saw?
Make sure the locknut and ground bushing will fit.

That could work!

 

[mystereons41]

The other issue is the lugs on the model I’m looking at only go up to 350 kcmil. Are the lugs able to be swapped out for a larger size? Or does is it depend on the specific panel?

 

[texie]

3" and 500 conductor is likely to large to go into that enclosure and still be compliant. I would set an in ground hand hole at the base of your pole and run 2" and smaller conductors from there to the enclosure.

 

[Jerramundi]

As far as I'm aware, fittings or hardware that reduce the conduit size still affects conduit fill requirements.. even something as small as a reducing washer. Conduit fill is what you need to figure out.

 

[Jerramundi]

According to the Chapter 9 C Tables... 3 x 500 kcmil THHN is still allowed in 2-1/2" EMT.

So if it's single phase (3 wires), utilizing THHN wire type, and no less than 2-1/2" EMT, you could reduce the 3" to 2-1/2" and still be code compliant.
I haven't looked at any other conduit types or wire types.

 

[Jerramundi]

I missed the part about it being a pedestal. So you'll have to look at either GRC or PVC conduit fills, whatever you're using.

 

[roger]

Mysteryons41, even though many of us have participated in your threads it appears as though you performing DIY work and therefor I must close your threads.

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