Replacing main service to the house

[mrpizza]

So I am replacing my house service entrance. Its currently overhead but the meter is in the carport and the main breaker panel is a mess. I am going to bury my service.. And the wire that's in there isn't rated for 200A and there are two wires on each main lug. It looks like 1/0 copper and 2/0 AL. One of each in each power lug.

Power Co wants a 4 wire feeder from the meter breaker on the pole to my panel inside. They spec 3 4/0 conductors and one #2 for AL wiring. Do they sell this as a direct burial cable or do I need to get a 4/0 triplex and then add my 4th wire to it? I would use MHF but it either has a reduced neutral or a 2/0 ground. I'll get a picture up tomorrow of the panel. It's interesting to say the least.

 

[pattenp]

The 4/0-4/0-4/0-2/0 MHF should be fine.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Panel will need to be converted to 4-wire with isolated neutral. Will need to add ground bars as well

If this is an old outdated panel, parts may be a challenege to find

 

[mrpizza]

Should have added, the house has an older square d QO panel in it. I am taking that panel and putting it in my shop and installing a new homeline 42 space in the house.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Should have added, the house has an older square d QO panel in it. I am taking that panel and putting it in my shop and installing a new homeline 42 space in the house.

should be able to get parts for that. how is the neutral bar installed in it? is it on plastic insulators with a bonding lug or screw?

 

[mrpizza]

Everything right now is bonded together at the panel. It has the neutrals and grounds ran to both bars randomly. There is no disconnect at the meter currently.

But the house panel will go in my pole barn and I will have it set up properly with the ground and neutral separately. Right now there is a fused disconnect like you would use on a motor that has the circuits for the barn all jammed in it. Its a big mess.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Everything right now is bonded together at the panel. It has the neutrals and grounds ran to both bars randomly. There is no disconnect at the meter currently.

This is up to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Some places require a disconnect at the meter in case there is a fire/other emergency. Other place allow the tradition of breaking the seal and pulling the meter.

 

[mrpizza]

There will be a disconnect at the new meter on the pole. Current meter base was likely installed in the 80s

 

[Norcal]

Should have added, the house has an older square d QO panel in it. I am taking that panel and putting it in my shop and installing a new homeline 42 space in the house.

Why go to HOM, when you have QO? QO is a better panel & it keeps things the same, nothing like a mishmash of panel types.

 

[mrpizza]

Why go to HOM, when you have QO? QO is a better panel & it keeps things the same, nothing like a mishmash of panel types.

Apologies to Norcal. I bought this house and it's been nothing but undisclosed BS and no lawyers around here will take the case. I'm at my wits end.

 

[Norcal]

My power coop would really piss you off since their approved meter panel they provide is a different brand than the square D.

I prefer the neutral and ground layout of the HOM to this QO with the tiny ground and neutral bars jammed at the top of the panel. More room to work in the HOM.

It's also my house to do with as I please. Kindly find a different thread for your unconstructive BS.

************************************************

 

[wyliesdiesels]

My power coop would really piss you off since their approved meter panel they provide is a different brand than the square D.

I prefer the neutral and ground layout of the HOM to this QO with the tiny ground and neutral bars jammed at the top of the panel. More room to work in the HOM.

It's also my house to do with as I please. Kindly find a different thread for your unconstructive BS.

Norcal is one of the main electrical contractors on this forum who happens to know his stuff well and contributes a lot.

The QO is a better panel overall

sure its your house.... do what you want... but dont dismiss others who are trying to help ... afterall, you came here for help didnt you? smh

 

[mrpizza]

*****

 

[mrpizza]

Also QO breakers are twice the price of homeline and I need at least 25 of them. Whoever wired this house put all 20 amp breakers on 14 gauge wiring runs.

Edit: I need so many because there are quite a few double tapped breakers. So I need new double breakers or a bigger panel.

 

[mrpizza]

sure its your house.... do what you want... but dont dismiss others who are trying to help ... afterall, you came here for help didnt you? smh

You're right. The issues of this house are nobody from GJ fault (unless the guy I bought it from is here lol)

Sorry everyone

 

[PCustoms]

Also QO breakers are twice the price of homeline and I need at least 25 of them. Whoever wired this house put all 20 amp breakers on 14 gauge wiring runs.

Edit: I need so many because there are quite a few double tapped breakers. So I need new double breakers or a bigger panel.

Square D breakers are rated to be "double tapped" I believe....

 

[mrpizza]

The breakers are listed on the side for double taps, you're right!

But my neutral and grounds aren't isolated and I don't see how to isolate them.

Edit: I am guessing I don't have separate ground bars and would need to purchase them. How would I terminate a 2/0 AL wire on the ground bar?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

yes you would need to purchase ground bar kits listed for that panel. there should be pre-punched holes where the self taping green screws in the kit go.

For 2/0 wire, you would use a lay-in lug on the ground bar.

 

[Innovate1]

I believe this is the proper lug to use for Homeline ground bars and other brands are similar. The description and instruction sheet says neutral bars and doesn't mention ground bars but I think it would be used for either. Others with more experience may be able to clear that up.

(It also appears they have the main screw shown upside down. LOL)

https://www.menards.com/main/electrical/circuit-protection-power-distribution/ground-rods-lugs-bars/square-d-trade-homeline-trade-100-amp-neutral-residential-lug-kit/hom100ancp/p-1444444034824-c-14120.htm

 

[mrpizza]

That thing won't fit 2/0 AL. I may just buy the triplex 4/0 and a separate AL #2.

 

[dscheidt]

That thing won't fit 2/0 AL. I may just buy the triplex 4/0 and a separate AL #2.

you want a LK125AN for 2/0. Standard part, but maybe not at a big box store.

 

[mrpizza]

Sweet. Thing that ***** is I'll have to extend all my ground wires somehow.

 

[Innovate1]

Not sure if larger lugs like that are available. For wire I ended up buying individual strands of XHHW from wireandcableyourway.com. I put mine in conduit and if I remember correctly that type needs to be in conduit. They will send in on 4 spools if you ask for it that way to make things easier. No connection other than recommended by others here and a satisfied customer.

 

[mrpizza]

Poco wants 2" conduit so that's what they will get. It's approx 100 feet from meter to inside panel

 

[Norcal]

Poco wants 2" conduit so that's what they will get. It's approx 100 feet from meter to inside panel

Be glad you are not in PG&E territory, they want 3".

 

[mrpizza]

Looks like I have a QO BX38A panel. Ground bars PK23GTACP?

 

[mrpizza]

Starting to look at actually doing this project now that the basement is dry from the french drain extravaganza!

I cannot run conduit easily inside the house because of where the panel is located, it would be a lot of concrete breaking to get lined up. I can however run to a 12x12 junction box on the back of the house then transition to SER cable and run no conduit to the panel. Any flaws in that plan?

Looking at 4/0 4/0 4/0 2/0 MHF from the meter combo on the pole underground to the junction box, then transition to the same size cable in SER with polaris style taps to splice into the house.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

So the PoCo wont let you move the meter main to the house?

If you could do so, it means you only have to run 3-wire to the building.

 

[mike93lx]

I wouldn't be reusing a 30 year old panel and breakers. Breakers wear out over time.

IMO, get a new panel for the pole barn and toss the old stuff