Meter socket help

[Iroc-Z]

I am looking for some advice on my project. I have an idea on how to do it but want to make sure I am doing it right.

I just finished my shop and need to run power to it. Currently my power feed comes from my pole over head to my house and goes to the meter that is attached to the house. My plan is to move the meter to the pole and burry power to the house and a separate line to the shop. Both the house and shop have 200 amp panels. So would that mean I need a 400 amp meter? I understand that my line in is probably not 400 amps. I am just tring to run this properly. Any input on meter equipment would be appreciated.

 

[DC73]

Talk to the power company. If the house and shop are unlikely to ever be fully operational at the same time, you can very likely get by with a 320 amp meter base. These bases are readily available, come in at least a couple of different sizes (working from memory here but I believe commercial ones are about 40" tall and residential are about 30" tall).

I just went through this for my new workshop. It was easier to install the 320 amp meter base (which has two sets of lugs for two outgoing feeds) than it was to upgrade the house panel. It was also cheaper in the long run than two separate meters (each of which comes with a separate meter charge around here).

DC

 

[Iroc-Z]

Something like this?
http://www.lowes.com/pd_219450-21747-1120375_1z0yt2o__?productId=3080791&pl=1

 

[dw1]

How about something like this with 2-200 amp main breakers.
http://www.milbankworks.com/catalogs/320MBC4031_5059.pdf
http://www.milbankworks.com/catalogs/u5890-5895.pdf

Make sure your power company will accept this brand of meter.

 

[Iroc-Z]

I will have to check but wow over 1k for the meter

 

[hh76]

Don't buy anything until you talk to the utility co. They will most likely have very specific requirements, and qualifying models of sockets.

Utility companies around here will not allow your meter on their pole.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I am looking for some advice on my project. I have an idea on how to do it but want to make sure I am doing it right.

I just finished my shop and need to run power to it. Currently my power feed comes from my pole over head to my house and goes to the meter that is attached to the house. My plan is to move the meter to the pole and burry power to the house and a separate line to the shop. Both the house and shop have 200 amp panels. So would that mean I need a 400 amp meter? I understand that my line in is probably not 400 amps. I am just tring to run this properly. Any input on meter equipment would be appreciated.

Just because u have 2x 200a panels doesnt mean u need 400a service. U need to do load calcs and most PoCos require load calcs when a customer requests a larger service.

As far as meter equipment goes, u need to ask them what they want.

Be aware that if u more your meter and have dual disconnects at the pole, the main service panel on your house will become a subpanel. The neutral bar needs to be isolated and u will need a separate ground bar.

What brand of panel do u have?

 

[Iroc-Z]

Just because u have 2x 200a panels doesnt mean u need 400a service. U need to do load calcs and most PoCos require load calcs when a customer requests a larger service.

As far as meter equipment goes, u need to ask them what they want.

Be aware that if u more your meter and have dual disconnects at the pole, the main service panel on your house will become a subpanel. The neutral bar needs to be isolated and u will need a separate ground bar.

What brand of panel do u have?

All my equipment is Square D QD. I will have to get in touch with xcel energy to move forward.

 

[nh_yota]

400A and 320A meter pans are the same thing - they are rated for 320A continuous/400A max.

As wyliesdiesels said, the service drop and meter pan will be spec'd by the utility and are dependent on the actual load calculation and not the size of the panels combined.

 

[DC73]

Something like this?
http://www.lowes.com/pd_219450-21747-1120375_1z0yt2o__?productId=3080791&pl=1

Yes. That's the shorter version. I ended up with the taller version because the shorter one was out of stock and had a 2 week lead time. The main difference is the size of the cabinet.

DC

 

[squarles67]

Something like this?
http://www.lowes.com/pd_219450-21747-1120375_1z0yt2o__?productId=3080791&pl=1

That's the one I used. Did the very same thing, changed the house from overhead to underground and fed the shop from it. Power Co charged me about $1500 I think plus the cost of the meter box and conduit.

I needed to move the overhead service to the house because the pole was in the way for the new shop. It made more sense than a separate meter/service on the shop.