Service question

[pentavolvo]

If power company provides you with a 200 amp service to the meter but say you only need 60amps, can you wire #6 from meter to a 60 amp disconnect/panel or must you put a 200 amp panel and size wire accordingly

 

[Stuart in MN]

Sure, you can do that if you want but the question will be if you should. There's not going to be much difference in cost to just put in a 200 amp panel.

 

[rockwithjason]

yes you could but you would have to run the same size wire that the poco uses in the meter, not #6 copper. you can use #6 copper down stream from the breaker or fuse.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

yes you could but you would have to run the same size wire that the poco uses in the meter, not #6 copper. you can use #6 copper down stream from the breaker or fuse.

+1. Wire from meter to disconnect needs to be sized to service. After that it all depends on the breaker size...

 

[pentavolvo]

So in theory I could use a 60 amp rated disconnect as long as it was fed with wire rated for the service size

 

[James-W]

So in theory I could use a 60 amp rated disconnect as long as it was fed with wire rated for the service size

I guess so, but why would you want to do that?

 

[Bmwsyc]

The disconnect will have to be rated for use as service equipment, then you have to consult Art. 230.42, which basically states that you have to figure out you continuous and non-continuous loads and base the wire size based on those calculations, but not smaller than the rating of your disconnecting means. Potentially you could use 60 amp wire if you have little calculated load. Around here, and probably other places, the POCO's wires to your house are not fused, the transformer on the pole or slab is fused on the primary, but not on the secondary. If you short out the wires coming from the pole, you will have as much current there as the transformer can provide up until the primary fuse goes, which may not happen. If you have 2/0 or number 6, it really won't matter that much with a fault, except that the 2/0 might help the transformer primary fuse blow faster and interrupt power faster.

 

[unsinkable]

I'm a bit confused, Are you asking if you can run a tap off of an existing meter socket to a subpanel, or do you want to have a 60 amp main service ?

The minimum size main service allowed now is 100 amps.

 

[Bmwsyc]

The minimum size main service allowed now is 100 amps.

Good point.

 

[hh76]

The minimum size main service allowed now is 100 amps.

Not always true.

I've run plenty of solar services that consisted of #6 from the utility to a 100a meter can, then on to a 60a service disconnect fused at 40a.

My point, anything is possible. Random people on the internet may give you correct answers, but the utility and AHJ should be the only ones you listen to.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Not always true.

I've run plenty of solar services that consisted of #6 from the utility to a 100a meter can, then on to a 60a service disconnect fused at 40a.

My point, anything is possible. Random people on the internet may give you correct answers, but the utility and AHJ should be the only ones you listen to.

Actually that is true. The minimum service for residential that the NEC calls for is 100a. If non residential, like a pumping station, there is no minimum IIRCC...

 

[hh76]

Actually that is true. The minimum service for residential that the NEC calls for is 100a. If non residential, like a pumping station, there is no minimum IIRCC...

Who said it is residential?

 

[sourdough]

yes you could but you would have to run the same size wire that the poco uses in the meter, not #6 copper. you can use #6 copper down stream from the breaker or fuse.

In my experience (which is not that much) the lug sizes on the 60A panel will be too small for the incoming wires from meter.

Built a cabin in Alaska 15 years ago with a 200A service and a 100A panel and had to change out the smaller lugs for the 2/0 hot phases and the 2/0 neutral. The ground was #6 so that was adequate.

 

[pentavolvo]

Essentially we are having a service put in to provide lighting for the sign to the entrance to our neighborhood.

Power company requires 200 amp for all underground feeds. I don't want to buy a 200 amp panel since I am only going to use 5 amps at most.

So could I in theory use a small 60 amp panel as long as I feed it with wire good for 200

 

[hh76]

Check with your utility, they will probably have a list of acceptable meter sockets. Some may have a space for the distribution breaker you'd need.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Get a meter/main combo panel such as the GE one. It will have a 150 or 200 amp main, and place for 4 standard single pole breakers, but will accept up to 8 half width breakers or any combination of that. That is what I used on one of our water wells when I had to replace the meter socket and panel after someone mowing hooked the equipment and ripped it off the post it was on. All we are running is a well pump and a receptacle for service/repairs. Underground enters the panel on the bottom left in the triangle area, which is a closed trough to the meter socket area. Panel is designed for overhead or underground use.

Charles

 

[hh76]

Get a meter/main combo panel such as the GE one. It will have a 150 or 200 amp main, and place for 4 standard single pole breakers, but will accept up to 8 half width breakers or any combination of that. That is what I used on one of our water wells when I had to replace the meter socket and panel after someone mowing hooked the equipment and ripped it off the post it was on. All we are running is a well pump and a receptacle for service/repairs. Underground enters the panel on the bottom left in the triangle area, which is a closed trough to the meter socket area. Panel is designed for overhead or underground use.

Just don't buy it until consulting with your utility. That panel would not be allowed in a couple utilities around here.

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ ^ This. In KS the PoCo is hyper-strict and meter cans are virtually ONLY sold to master electricians, with PoCo paying for the meter can. Same with ANY meter socket of any kind as they don't want any sub-metering.

The OP needs to run these ideas by "New Construction" rep at local PoCo.