Can I tap the pole?

[tomralph]

If the POCO were to drop another meter on the property and I run the workshop off that...

Does this avoid the 230.72(A) requirement?

AJH says they would want to bring the current panel up to code if we drag a 4th to it or replace it... $$$$ AHCI/GFCI, etc.

 

[Cmreschke]

If the POCO were to drop another meter on the property and I run the workshop off that...

Does this avoid the 230.72(A) requirement?

AJH says they would want to bring the current panel up to code if we drag a 4th to it or replace it... $$$$ AHCI/GFCI, etc.

I would think that complies.

 

[tomralph]

Here is the pedestal.



very roomy

Talking to the tech, the local inspector for electrical in my area is a 'stickler and pain in the **** to work with' direct quote from the tech.

 

[tomralph]

After talking with POCO and you guys, I finally got the right words to ask Regional.

They said that I can use those lugs and run straight to the workshop. The disconnections do not need to be grouped at the meter/pedestal, they can at the separate panels in each building.

POCO also said that I can run:

2 - 4/0 AL and 1 - 2/0 AL for the neutral, instead of the 250 AL. This is with a 200 amp service in the workshop. Does that sound right?

 

[Bert_]

Disconnects only need to be grouped if they supply the same structure. You will have one meter for the property but each building will have its own service (services only require 3 wires).

In some area's it is still common practice to run 4/0 for a 200a service, even for non-dwellings. It does not meet current code though.

You do not need to run wiring for 200a if you don't want to. You can make the garage service whatever size you want, anything less than 100a, all the way up to 200A

 

[tomralph]

Disconnects only need to be grouped if they supply the same structure. You will have one meter for the property but each building will have its own service (services only require 3 wires).

In some area's it is still common practice to run 4/0 for a 200a service, even for non-dwellings. It does not meet current code though.

You do not need to run wiring for 200a if you don't want to. You can make the garage service whatever size you want, anything less than 100a, all the way up to 200A

Another call to Regional to make sure .

Hopefully 4/0 will work for them, otherwise 250 here I come. I don't plan to use a reduced neutral, that seems problematic. Seems better to just even it out and deal with 1 size cable. Its easier in my head at least

Thank you guys for all the help with this!

 

[wyliesdiesels]

We already discussed why 4/0 AL CANNOT be used for 200a in previous comments.

If the inspector is a pain then u should use the correct wire size which is 250McM AL...

And yes i wouldnt run a reduced neutral....

Heres a chart u can use as a reference:

 

[tomralph]

It may not be to the current code but the Lead Electrical Inspector at Regional sent me this morning:

"4/0 AL is good for a 200-amp service. What the supply houses and even home depot probably carry will be 4/0-4/0-2/0 with a reduced neutral. That is ok."

So many damned interpretations of the code and which year is being followed, etc. Still not doing a reduced neutral though

 

[AntonLargiader]

Still not doing a reduced neutral though

You are really worried about having 100+ amps of phase imbalance?

 

[86turbodsl]

When i built my house 7 years ago, we used a dual lug meter pan, 200A straight into the house and second set of lugs into a 200A disconnect next to the meter pan, then out to the shop into a normal 200A main panel.