tapping load side of service disconnect

[twils75]

Hello - am getting together an estimate for a 16unit housing complex which currently has a 400A fused disco serving 17 modular meters (16 units plus the complex utility panel), all of which are 60A. The customer wants 200A panel for utility as they are going w/ electric water heaters in conjunction w/ solar array. Can anyone find fault w/ my tapping the load side of this fused disco which feeds the mods and pipe over to a 200a meter disco then up and over to a new 200amp complex utility panel? This is a larger job than im used to and any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[augie47]

my first concern would be load calculation. with 16 units already on the 400 amp switch, I would seriously question your adding much load, especially load requiring a 200 amp panel.
secondly you would need to make sure the lugs on the load side of your 400 amp are rated to accept your "tap"

I would look seriously at making your 200 amp panel (or disconnect) a 2nd service disconnect depending on how POCO is feeding the 1st. If you now have an overhead service, adding a second disconnect should be a simple task.
Thirdly..keep avaialable fault current in mind before just adding a "off the shelf" panel. possibly not an isuue, but worth checking.
and lastly be sure to check with POCIO about adding the load.

 

[Cow]

400 amps feeding 17 units? That works out to 23 amps a unit! I want to know how they're not blowing the main?