See if I have it right?

[haloscuba]

I am going to pull my first 400amp parallel underground service entry. Feeding a Seimans single lug meter trough with 2, 200amp discounects. Feeding 2, 200amp panels.
1.) 2 pulls 250 feet in 2, 3 inch PVC conduit
2.) Wire 250 kcm aluminum for the drop 2, hots 1, neutral each pull
3.) Change out the lugs from single to double
4.) Mark and wire correct phases
5.) Grounding 2, G-rouds 6 feet apart bonded with #6 copper then bonded to the meter

Any comments
Thanks

 

[dezwitinc]

250'?
Make sure you have plenty of lube for that pull.
If the end that you are pulling to has PVC 90s, watch out for the rope cutting into the 90s. They are a pain to replace at that point.
Have fun!!

As far as the ground rods are concerned, see:
http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=91454&highlight=ground+rods


PS - Where are you pulling from? Why isn't the POCO installing conductors to the meter socket?

 

[LawnGuyLandSparky]

Many POCOS don't do underground work.

 

[dezwitinc]

Here they install and terminate the conductors for residential work which is what I assumed this was.
Not only that, they will supply you with the conduit and elbows for underground services.
However, they are immune from paying the costs associated with disaster repairs and have the right to pass 100% of the cost on to the consumer.
Sweet deal if you can get it.

 

[LawnGuyLandSparky]

Here, they supply and install the triplex for O/H services only. U/G work you're on your own. IF you choose to install conduit from the house to the pole, you MUST install a manhole near the pole base in O/H distribution areas. If you choose to use direct burial cable, no manhole necessary.

 

[HighWirey]

Neighbor just installed an in ground pool, requiring his overhead service be relocated. I was blown away when the Hughes Supply truck (now Home Depot - but that is a story for another time) delivered all the PVC pipe, MA's, 90s, and a can'o glue required for the project.
Neighbor had to install and backfill the pipe, but the POCO (Florida Power and Light) returned and conductored the project. Wow. Really not sure how much it cost, but it was a minimum charce.
I pay my bill promptly . . .

 

[dezwitinc]

Neighbor just installed an in ground pool, requiring his overhead service be relocated. I was blown away when the Hughes Supply truck (now Home Depot - but that is a story for another time) delivered all the PVC pipe, MA's, 90s, and a can'o glue required for the project.
Neighbor had to install and backfill the pipe, but the POCO (Florida Power and Light) returned and conductored the project. Wow. Really not sure how much it cost, but it was a minimum charce.
I pay my bill promptly . . .

As far as I know, there is no charge from FPL for this.
There may be for extenuating circumstances but a normal service install/relocation is conductored as you say for no charge.

 

[HighWirey]

You know, it is easy to complain about our power bills, but the POCO in this area does a pretty good job . . .

Close to 60hz, close to 120 voltz, and constant on 24/7/365 (most of the time).

Jeese, I sound like an addman for Florida Power and Light.

Now if I could just get 'um to take the responsibility for the spikes they deliver to my house (without me paying for that durn burn insurance) !

 

[joe tedesco]

Section 90.7

Section 90.7

I am going to pull my first 400amp parallel underground service entry. Feeding a Seimans single lug meter trough with 2, 200amp discounects. Feeding 2, 200amp panels.
1.) 2 pulls 250 feet in 2, 3 inch PVC conduit
2.) Wire 250 kcm aluminum for the drop 2, hots 1, neutral each pull
3.) Change out the lugs from single to double
4.) Mark and wire correct phases
5.) Grounding 2, G-rouds 6 feet apart bonded with #6 copper then bonded to the meter

Any comments
Thanks

Changing out the lugs from single to double may not comply with 90.7, 110.3(B).

See 110.2 as well

 

[mthead]

See if I have it right?

While I haven't had time to check the number's,my knee jerk reaction to this scenario would make me question the size conductor[250 kcm for 400a serv] you plan to use here for your runs because of the length[250']and the fact that they're AL. Derating for length of run seems not to have been factored in.

 

[Rewire]

What size EGC are you using?

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

Changing out the lugs from single to double may not comply with 90.7, 110.3(B).

See 110.2 as well

I agree with this, yet it seems to be industry standard to just change out the lugs. A lot of the 400 amp equipment already comes with dual rated lugs.

Also you mention installing the GEC to the meter. That is permitted by code, but many POCOs do not permit it.

The equipment ground conductor is on the load side of the service switch, which means it is not part of the service installation.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

I agree with this, yet it seems to be industry standard to just change out the lugs.

A lot of equipment of this type and many larger breakers have other lugs that can be used and field installed without having a listing problem. In these cases the equipment has been listed for use with a number of different lugs. This information should be provided with the product...often on one of the stickers inside the enclosure that most don't bother to read.
Don

 

[tallguy]

Who did T.A.edison contact to certify that his new \"electric system\" was safe to operate?[hint;letter was dated 5/6/1881]

Not sure if anyone else has taken this one on, but here it is:

In a letter from Edison to The New York Board of Insurance Underwriters, dated May 6, 1881, Edison replies to a
newspaper article written by the Underwriters. They requested information on the subject of the danger of fire from
electric wires. Edison wrote: "I beg to say that the system of lighting of the Edison Electric Light Company is
absolutely free from any possible danger from fire, even in connection with the most inflammable material"

 

[Rewire]

I agree with this, yet it seems to be industry standard to just change out the lugs. A lot of the 400 amp equipment already comes with dual rated lugs.

Also you mention installing the GEC to the meter. That is permitted by code, but many POCOs do not permit it.

The equipment ground conductor is on the load side of the service switch, which means it is not part of the service installation.

Is this covered under 250.66?Would require a #2 copper?

 

[mthead]

See if I have it right?

New York State Res. code--400a serv parralell AL conductors 300kcm--this is before factoring in for length of run.