Consolidating Electric Meters

[H-D Dad]

I'm going to set new 200 amp main breaker panel 80 Ft from meter base. I can use aluminum wire. I need help with size and type. It will also be 3 individual conductors. Thanks Wes.

 

[H-D Dad]

The existing panel already has a main breaker is there any reason to use a breaker in the new box? The existing boxes connected to a meter now it will be disconnected and wired accordingly to function as a sub panel. Thanks for your replies. Wes

 

[nsula_country]

Noticed that in the panel picture, the TOP, RH breaker (15a) appears to have two wires landed under the screw. Double tapping breaker is a no-no.

CT

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I'm going to set new 200 amp main breaker panel 80 Ft from meter base. I can use aluminum wire. I need help with size and type. It will also be 3 individual conductors. Thanks Wes.

For 200a u will need 250Kcmil AL.

The existing panel already has a main breaker is there any reason to use a breaker in the new box? The existing boxes connected to a meter now it will be disconnected and wired accordingly to function as a sub panel. Thanks for your replies. Wes

Where is the new box going? It will be the new main service panel? If so it will need a main breaker IF there will be more than 6 branch breaker handles.

 

[H-D Dad]

Noticed that in the panel picture, the TOP, RH breaker (15a) appears to have two wires landed under the screw. Double tapping breaker is a no-no.

CT

All L no no's will be properly addressed after new panel is installed. Thank you. Wes

 

[H-D Dad]

For 200a u will need 250Kcmil AL.



Where is the new box going? It will be the new main service panel? If so it will need a main breaker IF there will be more than 6 branch breaker handles.

Thank you for wire info. The new panel will be about 30 feet from the existing panel it will have a main breaker existing panel will then be modified with ground and neutral separations for a sub box. You describe the instructions in a previous post in this thread again thank you guys very much

 

[H-D Dad]

I'm not able to find anywhere to buy, or even price 250Kcmil AL wire. Is there something I'm missing. I need a little more help. Still thanks guys.

 

[nsula_country]

RESI is rated at 80%, not 100% as Commercial/Industrial. 4/0 Al is what I see/use for RESI 200 amp service. Someone can chime in if I am wrong. I do not have my NEC book handy here. I have never ran 3/0 Cu or 250mcm Al for RESI. Only 2/0 Cu and 4/0 Al...

Someone please advise.

CT

 

[nsula_country]

This is what I found.

National Electric Code Tables 310.15 B6 and 310.16

States 2/0 Cu or 4/0 Al... 250mcm is excessive for this application.

CT

 

[H-D Dad]

Thank you. That will be easier to search. Wes

 

[nsula_country]

I see you are in Lake Fork country. I'm about 3hrs from Lake Fork. Good luck in your electrical endeavor!

CT

 

[H-D Dad]

I found some 4/4/2 urd service entrance cable. Will that work?
I'm about 500ft from the boat ramp.

 

[H-D Dad]

 

[nsula_country]

4/4/2 "would" work... I did not recall seeing that it was 500'!!! I thought you mentioned 30' somewhere. You will have considerable voltage drop at that distance.

Maybe that is why 250 mcm was recommended. I would have to calculate what the drop would be over that distance, or someone else could.

Have you priced wire at a local Electric Supply House?

CT

 

[H-D Dad]

Wire length will be less than 80ft from meter to breaker panel. I have not priced wire yet. Only a quick search at Lowes online.

 

[nsula_country]

80' 4/4/2 is what I would run and be code.

Do you have to pull an Electrical Trade permit from the county for the POCO?

CT

 

[H-D Dad]

No permit.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I'm not able to find anywhere to buy, or even price 250Kcmil AL wire. Is there something I'm missing. I need a little more help. Still thanks guys.

here ya go. 250KCmil

$1/foot x 3...

RESI is rated at 80%, not 100% as Commercial/Industrial. 4/0 Al is what I see/use for RESI 200 amp service. Someone can chime in if I am wrong. I do not have my NEC book handy here. I have never ran 3/0 Cu or 250mcm Al for RESI. Only 2/0 Cu and 4/0 Al...

Someone please advise.

CT

Except that only applies when the load is entirely resi. OPs is not entirely residential so those factors (which were spelled out in table 310.15(b)(7); which is no longer in the NEC), doesnt apply. So full size wire must be used.

Hence 250KCmil or MCM

This is what I found.

National Electric Code Tables 310.15 B6 and 310.16

States 2/0 Cu or 4/0 Al... 250mcm is excessive for this application.

CT

again, that only works when entire load is residential only. OPs is not.

I found some 4/4/2 urd service entrance cable. Will that work?
I'm about 500ft from the boat ramp.

URD is not permitted inside and #4/0 is too small.

 

[H-D Dad]

Thanks. Looks like that needs to be in conduit? Can it be direct burial?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Thanks. Looks like that needs to be in conduit? Can it be direct burial?

What are u referring to?

the 250KCmil?

yes it needs to be in conduit.

no it cannot be direct buried.

 

[nsula_country]

What are u referring to?

the 250KCmil?

yes it needs to be in conduit.

no it cannot be direct buried.

CONDUIT !!! 18" MIN Depth !!!

CT

 

[H-D Dad]

I made a call to the poco this am. I was told to speak to Engineering. I had to leave a message. Hopefully they will call back. Thanks for everyone help. I will keep you folks informed. Wes

 

[nsula_country]

POCO Engineering will tell you how they want it. They are all different in their local requirements.

CT

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I made a call to the poco this am. I was told to speak to Engineering. I had to leave a message. Hopefully they will call back. Thanks for everyone help. I will keep you folks informed. Wes

Why are u calling them?

Isnt all your work past the meter pan?

They only care about up to the meter pan.

 

[H-D Dad]

Why are u calling them?

Isnt all your work past the meter pan?

They only care about up to the meter pan.

I want to add new meter, wire, and panel. Then I will disconnect newly acquired park model from 50amp panel (dbl. 50 and single 20 amp breaker).
New panel will have more space.
If poco allows me to go from new panel to existing 125 amp panel I will configure 125amp panel so it will be a sub panel. I will hah poco pull that meter
I will then have 1 meter and 2 breaker panels.
If poco deems newly acquired park model to be 2nd residence they will not allow 1 meter. I hope that helps to clear things up a little bit.
I probably have a very unique situation, compared to what you guys are used to.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I want to add new meter, wire, and panel. Then I will disconnect newly acquired park model from 50amp panel (dbl. 50 and single 20 amp breaker).
New panel will have more space.
If poco allows me to go from new panel to existing 125 amp panel I will configure 125amp panel so it will be a sub panel. I will hah poco pull that meter
I will then have 1 meter and 2 breaker panels.
If poco deems newly acquired park model to be 2nd residence they will not allow 1 meter. I hope that helps to clear things up a little bit.
I probably have a very unique situation, compared to what you guys are used to.

I dont see why the PoCo wouldnt allow you to do whatever you want past the meter as long as u dont overload it.

Just tell them you dont want the second meter anymore.

They will pole it and the service. Once they are done and gone, switch the feed from that panel to the new panel.

BTW if you had some pics for us it would be helpful

 

[H-D Dad]

Ill get pics tomorrow. Thanks

 

[H-D Dad]

I got approval from Pico engineering to move forward. I'm going to try to post pics of the method to my madness. this is the breaker fort the newly acquired park model it will no longer be used when new panel is set up.
the meter on the right is attached to that breaker panel. It will be move to empty meter base in next picture
this is where I will set new meter( the one on the right belongs to the neighbors
this is where I will set new 200amp thru lug breaker panel
from where new panel will be is about 30ft to existing 125amp panel I will use thru lugs to attach new panel to this panel.
this is the meter for existing 125amp panel it will be removed also. That will leave me 1 meter for my property.
Exactly what I wanted to accomplish. Thanks for all you great help. Wes

 

[H-D Dad]

Hi everyone just now getting back to my project.
Added a sub panel to my little cabin. I have a few questions.
I ran an 8/2 with ground from a 30amp breaker in the main panel to the sub panel in the cabin. I put the black wire on one hot lug w/ a jumper to the other hot lug. I put the white wire on the neutral lug. I put the bare ground wire on the ground lug. Please let me know if that is correct.
I still need to pound my ground rods. What is the correct way to connect the rods.

 

[nsula_country]

Hi everyone just now getting back to my project.
Added a sub panel to my little cabin. I have a few questions.
I ran an 8/2 with ground from a 30amp breaker in the main panel to the sub panel in the cabin. I put the black wire on one hot lug w/ a jumper to the other hot lug. I put the white wire on the neutral lug. I put the bare ground wire on the ground lug. Please let me know if that is correct.
I still need to pound my ground rods. What is the correct way to connect the rods.

So... I assume you are feeding with a 30 1 pole breaker.

The way you have wired the subpanel line terminals has created a 120v only subpanel... Was this your intent?

CT

 

[H-D Dad]

Yes it is . TV, window unit ac portable heater. Just a place to kickback. Thanks Wes

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Why are u doing 120v only?

Theres a few issues i see

Those main lugs probably arent rated for more than 1 wire.

Is that ground bar bonded to the panel?

For the rods u would run solid #6 cu to 2 rods spaced 6' apart. Connects to ground bar on left.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

So... I assume you are feeding with a 30 1 pole breaker.

The way you have wired the subpanel line terminals has created a 120v only subpanel... Was this your intent?

CT

#8 can be breakered at 40a.

 

[nsula_country]

#8 can be breakered at 40a.

The OP stated that it was 30a. I assumed 1p, otherwise did not make sense. Reason I asked about why 30a was the wire chosen was rated 40a+.

Depending on insulation... #8 is rated 40a-55a...

I haven't seen many 40a 1p breakers, but several mfgs make them... OP is probably using a 30a from an RV feed.

Could not tell if ground buss was bonded or not. For a subpanel, it should not be.

#8 solid ground would be fine here... Feed is #8. 2 rods 6'-10' apart are recommended, continuous wire, not cut and doubled at clamps.

Multiple wires in an aluminum terminal is questionable. OP would have to consult specs of the subpanel.

CT

 

[H-D Dad]

Ground is not bonded to panel. How do I tell if lug is rated or not for dbl wire? So from big lug on left bottom to ground rod #1 then 6 Ft to ground rod #2 single #6 bare cu wire.
I did find a single pole 40amp. I will change out 30amp form main panel.
Thanks every body for your help.