Service

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volt101

volt101

Senior Member
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New Hampshire
What is the legal way to go about bringing a 400 amp service into a house when suppling two 200 amp panels? Can an electrician simply put a
400 amp socket outside and run two sets of 4/0 aluminum SE each to there own panel, or does the electrician have to run in a SE set of aluminum 600's in and tap off once inside?
 
Re: Service

Assuming the POCO will allow a Class 320 Meter, the legal way is to take out a permit and have the installation inspected.
 
Re: Service

Volt...
IMO, as I've stated before in other threads on this topic, I see no problem with the 400amp socket w/ (2) 200amp loadcenters fed with 4/0 Al SEU from double lugs in the meter socket as you suggest.

How would bringing in 600's into a trough and then tapping off with (2)sets of 4/0 Al be any different, other than where you connect the 4/0's and you have to bond the trough?
The second way would cost more, and take up more room.
 
Re: Service

Luke, that is my thought as well, but the only hurdle that I can't jump is:

230.40 Number of Service-Entrance Conductor Sets.
Each service drop or lateral shall supply only one set of service-entrance conductors.


Guess I need a little help over that hurdle.

Volt101, Volt102
Inspector, Instructor, Master Electrician
 
Re: Service

Then according to this.

230.2 Number of Services.
A building or other structure served shall be supplied by only one service unless permitted in 230.2(A) through (D). For the purpose of 230.40, Exception No. 2 only, underground sets of conductors, 1/0 AWG and larger, running to the same location and connected together at their supply end but not connected together at their load end shall be considered to be supplying one service.

This wording can been seen that w/ the two sets coming in "overhead" would be considered to be two services. What is the difference if it is underground compared to overhead?
 
Re: Service

It only means that when using 230.40 exception #2 only if the underground conductors running from the utility are 1/0 or larger the NEC would consider this as only one service which frees up 230.40 exception #3 to still allow you to feed an out building. The only requirement is that the disconnects be grouped and either outside or close to the point of entrance of the building.

Remember a meter is not considered service equipment

You have the utility feed which is either a drop or laterals (underground) then service entrance cable. laterals would stop at the first point of termination which in most cases will be in the meter. drop ends at the weather head. after this is the entrance cable which the meter can be a part of. once you get to the disconnect the service stops.

[ August 06, 2004, 09:17 PM: Message edited by: hurk27 ]
 
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