Resi. Desing Problem

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chris kennedy

chris kennedy

Senior Member
Location
Miami Fla.
Occupation
60 yr old tool twisting electrician
We have a 200A disco and a 200A MB Pnl. Need to install 2 HO supplied 200A ATS's to the left of these. Thats an AC chase in between. My buddy wants to use four 2" LFMC to go back and forth.
Bear in mind that going under ground is out of the question. The HO contacted the AC guy about moving the chase but thinks LFMC is more cost effective. We think it will look like crap.
I left these pics. a little large for detail. Any ideas?
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View attachment 592
 
I am glad you are doing that job. Yuck---

I see what I believe is a 400 amp service being fed with ????. The pipe looks like it's 1 1/2" at best. I have never seen a service lateral with that small a pipe. 2" minimum here and sometimes 3" or more for 400 amps.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
I am glad you are doing that job. Yuck---

I see what I believe is a 400 amp service being fed with ????. The pipe looks like it's 1 1/2" at best. I have never seen a service lateral with that small a pipe. 2" minimum here and sometimes 3" or more for 400 amps.
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First of all, I'm not doing this job. I hate resi. The lateral is a 2" with three 4/0 AL. Thats what POCO gives you here for 400A. The other conduit is GEC.
 
Can you take out those 2 LB's and put a small gutter in there that is deep enough to pipe over the a/c chase. Then add another gutter by the ATS.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
Can you take out those 2 LB's and put a small gutter in there that is deep enough to pipe over the a/c chase. Then add another gutter by the ATS.
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Yes sir, we talked about that. That would make the normal power side look pretty neat but what about load back to disco's?
 
ouch!

ouch!

lets' complicate the situation a little :) .... are the ATS units service rated (most HO supplied ones I've seen are not)? If not, we're talking overcurrent protection ahead of them.
 
Augie, Yes the Ats's are service rated. Yes it appears there will be redundant OCP. Lets not worry about selective coordination.:grin:

LGLS The guy has a custom built garage. Again he would rather have for 2" LFMC's on the outside.
 
chris kennedy said:
We think it will look like crap.
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I think it already does.

Either tear it out and do it like you would for a new install, or just do what is asked, as long as the AHJ is jiggy with it.

I see no compromise.


Added: Okay, maybe one compromise: how about a single 400a ATS under the panel and disco? Remove the two LB's, run one (2.5" ?) nipple down from the meter, and two (2" ?) nipples back up into the disco and panel.
 
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Ats

Ats

Can't tell from the picture but if that is an AC unit to the left of the chase, you probably won't pass an inspection in Miami due to a lack of working clearance.
Just took out a hedge down there for that reason.
You may have to go up into the attic and back down way to the left.
Cutler Hammer has a service entrance rated switch with a 400 amp main and multiple 200 amp breakers that may provide a solution as long as you aren't using one of those tan generators.
These houses with two disconnects on the outside are always a problem and difficult to make look neat and clean.
 
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In the end, you're an electrician, not a magician. You can't do anything with anything. In this case, your wish for an asthetically pleasing install utilizing a limited set of components. Something has to give.
 
chris kennedy said:
We are working with HO supplied ATS's. Two 200A.
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Will they fit side-by-side in the space if you relocate the phone boxes? A couple of struts on spacers could bring you in front of the conduits.
 
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