Splitting a 200 amp service

[JoeNorm]

I have a customer building a detached garage next to main house. Any reason I cannot find the service conductors to the main house in the ground, splice in another set to feed a 200a disconnect that goes to the new garage?

This allows either structure the 200a capacity. This assumes load calc allow for it but in this case it should.

 

[tom baker]

First, who owns the service conductors in the yard?
Are they metered or in metered?

 

[JoeNorm]

Good question. I suppose the utility does, but these wires are on the metered side. In-between house and meter.

 

[tom baker]

A sketch would help

 

[electrofelon]

I have a customer building a detached garage next to main house. Any reason I cannot find the service conductors to the main house in the ground, splice in another set to feed a 200a disconnect that goes to the new garage?

This allows either structure the 200a capacity. This assumes load calc allow for it but in this case it should.

Sure, see 230.40 exception #3

 

[Little Bill]

Sure, see 230.40 exception #3

Wouldn't you need dual lugs in the meter base for this? I've done it with a 400/320A meter base but not a 200A.

 

[electrofelon]

Wouldn't you need dual lugs in the meter base for this? I've done it with a 400/320A meter base but not a 200A.

You can make the "tap" in a box or wire way after the meter. I agree a dual lug meter base is the cleanest and most convenient way but nothing says you have to use one.

 

[letgomywago]

Make sure you have a load calc for the total to make sure you're under 200 total and if it's 4/0 make sure you're at 180. If you do a small vault it'll have room for the taps too. Optional method will get the house load small.

 

[electrofelon]

Make sure you have a load calc for the total to make sure you're under 200 total and if it's 4/0 make sure you're at 180. If you do a small vault it'll have room for the taps too. Optional method will get the house load small.

I never get asked for resi load calcs. YMMV

 

[letgomywago]

I never get asked for resi load calcs. YMMV

One inspector here would ride any new house over 2000 ft^2 but he's doing virtuals now so lately he hasn't bugged me. He also was convinced that voltage drop was a serious problem in homes if there was over 100ft of wire. He's a character.

 

[Little Bill]

One inspector here would ride any new house over 2000 ft^2 but he's doing virtuals now so lately he hasn't bugged me. He also was convinced that voltage drop was a serious problem in homes if there was over 100ft of wire. He's a character.

Voltage drop isn't a code rule, it's only an informational note.

 

[letgomywago]

Voltage drop isn't a code rule, it's only an informational note.

Oh I know and he had to be re-educated by higher-ups on multiple occasions