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Main panel connections review

jpcjguy

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Richmond, VA
Hi all,

So I have finally mounted my outside junction box that has the 2/0 XHHW from my detached garage. I will transition to 1/0 SER using polaris connectors in the box to run to the panel inside. See pic of outside box.

The next pic shows a lot of markup. The thick orange wire is the SER to the 125A breaker. The green wire is for a 20A wire to support a future screen porch we will add later. As you can see it is a short run and I was thinking of just using some UF-B into the junction box so I can connect to the future wire that will be in the 1" conduit going into the outside junction box.
The blue box is for my current welder outlet that I will leave where it is.
The red wire is where it gets interesting. Currently there is a female plug (yes, for a suicide cord) to back feed the panel without an interlock or anything - yikes! I plan on mounting an outside 30A generator outlet (reliance PB30) and running up into the first panel to some polaris connectors so that power will run to both panels. I will also install the proper interlock kits on both panels in the top left breaker spot and re-route what is there currently. For wire, should I use 8 gauge XHHW in some 3/4" flexible conduit from the generator outlet to the left panel and then from the left to the right panel?
I am 100% electric and realize I will have to shut off all HVAC, water heater and ensure we dont use the dryer or stove when power is out, but it will keep some lights on and the fridges and freezer going.

Last question is around the neutral/ground bar in the panel. I will need to attach the 1/0 neutral and ground. Looking at my panel it appear that there is a large opening (reference red arrow) that might support 1/0? If so, can I use it? Otherwise I will have to chase down a lug kit to attach to the bar (no luck with what the box stores have - since my panel is Cutler Hammer vintage 1993)

Thanks!
 

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mike93lx

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Why are you transitioning to SER? Xhhw can go inside just needs to be in conduit

Are the panels both tapped to the meter? Or is one a sub?

I doubt the generator hookup will be code compliant. I would run to an interlock on one panel then out of that panel via another breaker to an interlock on the other, if one isn't a sub
 

Bert_

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I see nothing wrong with your interlock plan. The rest looks fine as well.

In my area nobody stocks xhhw in #8. It's going to be much easier to find thhn/thwn. The xhhw is nicer wire though. Since you have a 30a inlet the wire only needs to be #10.
 
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jpcjguy

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Why are you transitioning to SER? Xhhw can go inside just needs to be in conduit

Are the panels both tapped to the meter? Or is one a sub?

I doubt the generator hookup will be code compliant. I would run to an interlock on one panel then out of that panel via another breaker to an interlock on the other, if one isn't a sub

I have a short section of 1/0 SER that I might as well use.
Both are tapped to the meter
Why would it not be code compliant?
 
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jpcjguy

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I see nothing wrong with your interlock plan. The rest looks fine as well.

In my area nobody stocks xhhw in #8. It's going to be much easier to find thhn/thwn. The xhhw is nicer wire though. Since you have a 30a inlet the wire only needs to be #10.

Thanks. As for wire, good point on the thwn, I will see what my local electrical supplier has and go with it.
 
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mike93lx

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I have a short section of 1/0 SER that I might as well use.
Both are tapped to the meter
Why would it not be code compliant?

Unless you already have the Polaris connections, I don't really see the point, plus you could have skipped the huge junction box, but either way it will work.

I will defer to the sparkies on the code compliance piece.
 
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jpcjguy

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Unless you already have the Polaris connections, I don't really see the point, plus you could have skipped the huge junction box, but either way it will work.

I will defer to the sparkies on the code compliance piece.

I need to splice the 2/0 regardless because it won't fit the 125A breaker, the max wire size is 1/0.
The junction box also has an empty 2" conduit that I put in just in case we want a pool. It would be located on the other side of the house, so this allows me to get wire to that side of the house without digging up this area again.
 

mike93lx

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I need to splice the 2/0 regardless because it won't fit the 125A breaker, the max wire size is 1/0.
The junction box also has an empty 2" conduit that I put in just in case we want a pool. It would be located on the other side of the house, so this allows me to get wire to that side of the house without digging up this area again.

Really? What brand of breaker? Murray and SQD HO both accept 2/0 from what I can see online
 
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