2 main panels off a 320a meter base

[cyamaha2007]

Ok my meter base is set up for 2 panels but i dont know if i should use a double mechanical aluminum lug or go under the stud thats holding the extra wing. The electrical company is no help. They said tie into it we dont care what you do. Heres a pic im thinking of, i want to tie in the new run to the stud just above the old run. Im talking about the load side or bottom of the meter base. The double mechanical aluminum lugs i bought are bulky and would kinda be in the way. This is a no inspection situation in case it maters.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff250/cyamaha2007/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_9314.jpg[/IMG
Thanks for your help again guys

 

[Executive]

Burndy makes double lugs that are "over-under" not side by side. I bet those would fit and you'd be making the terminations correctly. Just make sure your calculated load does not exceed that of the service entrance conductors, meter socket, or meter equipment.

Chris

 

[cyamaha2007]

According to the utility my meter is feed with 400a wire. They said since it was a 320a residential meter i could run 2 200a panels. Thanks for your response.

 

[Executive]

The wire may be good for 400 amps but feeds through a "320 class" meter which is limited to 320 amps. If your calculated load of both feeds is under 320 amps, you should be fine. Check with your utility, they can give you a Kw use based on your bill. You can figure from there. The new load should be easy to determine based on square footage and equipment installed. See Article 220 in the NEC.

Chris

 

[cyamaha2007]

Thats what i thought also. But i was "corrected" the engineer said that a residential 320a meter is set up to run 2 200a panels. He went on to say that its a 400a panel just relabeled. He also told me since it was residential they would allow me to put 3 200a panels on that meter since the meter will likely never have all panels loaded to max capacity all at once.

 

[Executive]

Thats what i thought also. But i was "corrected" the engineer said that a residential 320a meter is set up to run 2 200a panels. He went on to say that its a 400a panel just relabeled. He also told me since it was residential they would allow me to put 3 200a panels on that meter since the meter will likely never have all panels loaded to max capacity all at once.

Correct. This is what's called load diversity. Stuff switches on and off at different times so there is never maximum draw at any given time.

Good luck with your installation.
Stay safe.


Chris

 

[cyamaha2007]

Thanks for your replys

 

[FluxCore]

I'm thinking you are well prepared to perform the install, except I see only two Bud Lights in that sack....This is a 4 beer job in my flat rate book

 

[FluxCore]

Correct. This is what's called load diversity. Stuff switches on and off at different times so there is never maximum draw at any given time.

Good luck with your installation.
Stay safe.


Chris

I fully agree with 'load diversity' and how the drop/meter will never see total capacity, but my power company doesn't subscribe to such common sense....After 20 years installed, the last time a POCO rep looked in my meter pan at my otherwise legal double tap, he informed me it was now outlawed by THEM, yet allowed by NEC and local code...They here want extra meter revenue....?They seek 15 bucks a month meter revenue if you use their electricity or not.....Seems to be a growing trend where they grow revenue thru attrition whenever a mod is made and they cite 'safety' to justify it...It doesn't help they are a publicly owned ultility and many local jurisdictional folks that regulate them own their stock.

 

[sberry]

My poco hasno issue with it.