Pigtailing feeders ok?

[Paperman]

MyPOCO doesn’t want to install a 5th service as it overloads the transformer and their feeder. They would but it’s high cost. I have a work around. My building has 4 retail spaces each with a 200a service. A few years back units 1-2 took out a wall and combined. Each service comes into a common utility room to a disconnect with 2-100A breakers then onto the sub in each unit. Highest load to the subs I have seen is 35A on one leg. I would like to bring the feeders to the subs into a box and pigtail the 4 leads down to 2 that go to a single main disconnect. Can I splice/ pigtail that size wire? If so what’s the best way? If I can do that it will save the tenant a meter fee and will give me a 200a service for little cost.

 

[Stuff]

You can use Polaris connectors to pigtail the wires together. They make 3-way splices.
I think the tap rules might need to be addressed. And make sure the box is big enough.

Pictures would be nice!

 

[79firebird]

it can be done yes but to pigtail tail it you would prob need something like a split bolt connector

 

[Paperman]

Here is a pic of the 4 disconnects. Id like to install a 12x12 box above boxes 1-2 where I would do the splices. Then drop down into box 1. Box 2 then would go through the wall to feed a different area than it currently feeds. View media item 77461
This is a picture above the disconnects. The old disconnect to the left is part of the 480 system yet to be moved. All the loose wire is low voltage phone/internet stuff. Those guys really don't care what their junk looks like.

View media item 77463

 

[rockwithjason]

if you are trying to combine two 100a services into one then you need 200a main disconnect equipment. this can get tricky as the bonding and grounding requirements are hard to follow for laymen.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Can you draw a sketch of what you want to do?

 

[Paperman]

The largest load reading I had was 32A with their electric dryer running, the other service was 10-12A. Is it not as simple as combining both A legs into a split nut with a single drop out of it to one breaker, the same for both B legs, combing both neutrals to a single wire dropped into the main box and the same with the ground?

Edit: Be right back with a sketch

 

[malibu101]

"MyPOCO doesn’t want to install a 5th service as it overloads the transformer and their feeder"
Do you NEED (can you show and justify) the power they don't want to install?

"They would but it’s high cost. "
A high cost to you I assume. It really ***** when you have to pay for them to improve their infrastructure. There should be a law.

If you can lose/combine things on your end, why can't they do it on their end? At the end what you're trying to do would still be done by the same existing transformer.

Sorry I can't help with any answers I was just wondering and feel for you about this.

 

[Paperman]

No I don't NEED it, I have a transformer that does most of what I want but I outline in another thread it cost $70/mo just to have the transformer energized from excitation loss. They have 800A connected capacity currently but only about 100A of actual usage. I KINDA understand their point on the what ifs but explaining to the service writer on the phone is lock a block wall. Policy is the key word I heard allot. I even offered to breaker down the 4 installed services but he rebutted with " you will just change them back to the original amperage." In the end I was getting nowhere easy. Yes they would do it, with a new pole, feeder and transformer.

My solution is to make the main panel feed two subs instead of a single main for a single sub. My issue is the main is only 2 breakers, no room for 4. I could install a different panel with more breakers but real-estate is tight and I cannot find a 4-6 breaker 200A main panel, they are all monsters at 30+.

Working on sketch but the artist in the family is at home, I'm the point and describe guy.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Let me see if I understand.

I assume the meters are ahead of these breakers. Who gets the bill, the landloard or each tenant ?
Disconnects #1 and #2 now feed one "unit" that happens to have 2 sub panels, correct ?
Why not feed one of the subs in the units 1 and 2 from the other sub and then just take the now spare disconnect and feed unit 5 ?
Yes, it means that units 1 and 2 can not be split apart for future tenants.

What am I missing ?

 

[Paperman]

Tennant gets billed. They are paying for two meters. I could feed one panel from the other but it is a much more invasive way to do it. That means getting into both units, passing wire through block walls, etc. If this works its a quick few hours in one utilities room.

This item looks be have promise.https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005GDFYW0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[theoldwizard1]

Tennant gets billed. They are paying for two meters. I could feed one panel from the other but it is a much more invasive way to do it. That means getting into both units, passing wire through block walls, etc.

Well, you had said ...

A few years back units 1-2 took out a wall and combined.