Using 200AMP distribution blocks or splitter box

[flashdre]

Hello,

Im new the board and I am novice with electricity. I need a little help. Please excuse my lack of knowledge with this particular topic.

I am trying to split a 200amp feed at my building. My current setup has the line coming from meter in the meter room to a empty panel. A tenant in the same complex has a setup I would like to duplicate. They have the line(2/0 3 wire with bar aluminum ground) from meter going to a box that I am guessing is a splitter box or junction box with a distribution block(The box is not very accessible to confirm what is enclosed). From the splitter box, one line goes to a panel and the other line goes to a 100Amp safety disconnect then to a panel.

My first question is what guage wire would i use for the run from the splitter box to the panel and safety switch? 2/0? Or 4/0? The length from box to the furthest panel is 30'.

MY second question is I cannot find splitter boxes but I can find distribution blocks. What do I do with the ground as i have not seen any block with a ground? Would I get a grounding terminal bus bar? What type of distribution block should I use(3 pole) or how would I configure this box to split the line into Two 100amp lines?

Thank you.

 

[Norcal]

"Splitter box" is Canadian lingo, look for a bussed gutter, & 2/0 copper & 4/0 aluminum are residential wire sizes for 200A. More details are needed.

 

[tfi racing]

Commercial building electrical services are no place for a "novice with electricity", better to be safe than sorry.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Is this service 3 phase? If so, a novice shouldnt be working on it....

 

[flashdre]

@TfiRacing I do agree with you. I have a friend who is an electrician that I call on. But he has been very busy as of lately. He gave a brief run down of what he believes the other tenant is running. I just want to get the understanding of it. Once I get materials/equipment he will get do the run from meter to box and the branch for me.

I am running a ceramics studio. The panel without the disconnect will run some pottery wheels, lights and misc item. Total amp for all equipment if running at same time is ~55-60 amps. The panel with the safety disconnect is for my kilns. Both kilns are 40 amps @ 240v. Its a warehouse and the meters are located in a meter room. I have access to room to turn off/on 200A main breaker.

I have 2 meters. One meter I already have connect to my large kilns and lights, plugs for warehouse. The 2nd meter I am speaking of just has an empty panel. The previous tenant dismantled whatever was there before. I see a lot of screw holes and dust onlines of what was there.

 

[flashdre]

The service is not 3 phase.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If the 200A feed goes into an "empty panel", why not install a 100A breaker there for your 100A load ?

Splicing a 200A feed to a 100A load wire (using properly sized wire for both) by attaching them to a common buss bar, turns that 100A wire into a FUSE !!! A breaker protects the load and the WIRE !

If the "empty panel" is truly just an empty box, replace it with a 200A load center/breaker panel. Shop around. You should be able to buy one for about $100US.


DO IT RIGHT !