meter base to panel

[brokenjack]

I'm trying to figure out how to run my conductors from my meter base to my panel. If I put the meter base directly behind the service panel, my screws will hit the panel. Can I run the wires from the meter base through the studs if I offset my panel. I can't seem to find a decent web page on this. My studs are 2x4 and my service will be single phase 200amp.
Thanks

 

[bobbyd]

The conductors will need to be in conduit from the panel to the meter if concealed in the wall.

I'm no expert on the NEC, but why couldn't the panel and meter be bolted together, sandwhiching the sheating and siding? Then you would just have a short bushing between the two.

Lastly, In my neck of the woods, the JHA (jurisdiction having authority) absolutely would not allow me to run the service entrance from the meter to the panel, although I wired everything else in the house and shop (400A service to the shop feeding a 200A panel in the house). The service entrance to the main first disconnect point (main breaker) had to be installed by a licensed electrician. I couldn't even purchase a meter base without a license number. The power company even wanted a license number of the installer before they would bring the feeders into the meter.

It may not be an issue in your area, just a question worth asking before you spend a lot time installing just to have an inspector gig it. Just to tell you how picky they were about this, they even signed off on me running all the natural gas lines, I just had to let the inspector witness a 100psi test for an hour. I would have thought they would as picky or more on who installed gas lines as the electrical service entrance.

 

[Paradise Ridge]

Jack,

I did mine 3 weeks ago.

First off, I'd call the local Electrical Inspector over for a site evaluation and find out what local codes are. Shouldn't cost anything, and saves a lot of surprises later.

I ran a surface mount 400A meter base on the outside of the shop and branched off a 200A for the house, but it shouldn't be any different in your situation. My 200A breaker panel (20 space) is mounted inside between the 2x6 studs and flush mounted to fit smooth with the paneling. The box "might" fit inside 2x4 studs, but it'll be tight.

As for conduit, it is required anywhere the leads go thru an exterior wall. We used a 4" chunk between the 2 boxes with a conduit nut on each end and it worked fine. My boxes are directly behind each other.

I talked to the inspector about locating the breaker panel away from the back of the meter box and he told me I could go up to 25' from the panel with the leads running thru the studs, as long as I used condiut thru the siding. It all depended on how much $ I wanted to spend on the wire (grin).

My nickels worth,

Scott

 

[TOMWELDS]

I dont understand how screws are hitting if its a 2x4 wall? Easiest way, when they're back to back, is to use 2" PVC. A small scrap of conduit, 2-male adapters and 2- locknuts.

 

[W-Cummins]

I "think" he wants to use a flush mounted panel in the 2X4 wall. He could still do it though as he will need to offset the meter base some anyway so the bushing will not hit the bus in the panel.

 

[TOMWELDS]

2" close ******, 4 locknuts, 1 plastic bushing and 1 insulated grounding bushing...The two enclosures can be 1/2" apart with that setup.

 

[mleichtle]

Oooh, I feel for ya, I did my house last year. I have to L's 2' apart. Pulling that wire was a bear.

 

[brokenjack]

Still kinda hard to visualize what you're talking about, I need to see pictures. I'm one of those guys who knows just enough to be dangerous. I'll probably end up calling an electrician.
Thanks for the help

 

[bobbyd]

Oooh, I feel for ya, I did my house last year. I have to L's 2' apart. Pulling that wire was a bear.

I wish mine were only 2' apart. Well, I guess the meter and main panel are only a couple feet apart. But my main panel is 400 amp in which resides a 200A breaker to feed the house. But.....the 200A house panel is at the north end of the house and the main 400A panel is at the south end of the shop. The shop is south of the house. Made for about a 115' pull with the maximum allowed (4) 90 degree bends. We used a tractor to pull it.

 

[snorvet]

here's a sketch of what I did. I used threaded galvanized pipe ******* - the bigger diameter the better (whatever the knockouts in the panel and meter can handle) . I should have used an lb fitting (with an access panel) instead of the elbow I used. Pulling the wire was the toughest part. You'll need locknuts, bushings as advised by others .

 

[sberry]

Tom. can you leave the back of a meter base? Seems its only bottom or sides?

 

[TOMWELDS]

Cary, the pans that are approved by the utility co. here are pretty standard. On an underground pan the knockouts are bottom, side and back. On an overhead, they're bottom, side, back and hub mount on top.

In the diagram, it shows using a galv 90deg elbow. The sweep would be around 12" and around 18" on 2". With a 2X4 wall, it would stick out way too far. Block and 2X4 would work. Using an LB, the cover has to be acessible. If the space is too tight, use a piece of SEU..service entrance cable.

 

[TOMWELDS]

After rereading the original question, use 4/0 SEU cable and 2- 2" SEU connectors. You can make tight bends to keep it in the wall. You can pass thru the studs but the utility co. will want you to hit the panel as close to building penetration as possible. Unless there's a main disconnect at the meter, in which you can put the panel anywere in the house.

 

[malibu101]

After rereading the original question, use 4/0 SEU cable and 2- 2" SEU connectors. You can make tight bends to keep it in the wall. You can pass thru the studs but the utility co. will want you to hit the panel as close to building penetration as possible. Unless there's a main disconnect at the meter, in which you can put the panel anywere in the house.

Local codes vary but in my jurisdiction SE cable can run inside no farther than 6 feet from penitration to panel. More than that requires a fusable disconnect as you said. Again, that's in the areas I deal in, you're jusrisdiction may vary.

 

[TOMWELDS]

It's 6' here also. He should be ok by passing thru 1 or 2 studs. ....Funny how they came up with 6'??...L