What Wire/Cable Size for 2nd 200 amp panel

[kdl243]

My shop goes up next week, I am trying to gather materials so I can trench everything and have it ready for an electrician to hook up.

I will be upgrading to 320/400 meter that will feed my house (200amp panel) and my shop (200 amp panel). I have the meter can, will be ordering a 200 amp disconnect and then I just need conduit and the wire/cable.

So from the disconnect to my panel at the shop approx 50 ft do I use
4/0-4/0-2/0 Aluminum URD Cable Or
This
SE-U 4/0-4/0-4/0

Also do I need a different cable to connect from the meter to the disconnect? I have asked 2 electricians and have got the two choices above.

Thanks,

 

[pattenp]

You can run the 3 wire SE-U from meterbase to first disconnect. From first disconnect to the shop needs to be 4 wire. Be aware URD is not to enter a structure, it needs to be terminated on the outside. SE cable is not allowed underground, even in conduit.

 

[kdl243]

So am I better off using this from the disconnect to the panel in the shop?
4/0-4/0-4/0-2/0 Aluminum Mobile Home Feeder
that way I can run conduit to inside the building where I plan on putting the panel

 

[mike93lx]

So am I better off using this from the disconnect to the panel in the shop?
4/0-4/0-4/0-2/0 Aluminum Mobile Home Feeder
that way I can run conduit to inside the building where I plan on putting the panel

MHF can be run end to end, yes. Another option if you are running conduit anyway is individual conductors of xhhw

 

[pattenp]

So am I better off using this from the disconnect to the panel in the shop?
4/0-4/0-4/0-2/0 Aluminum Mobile Home Feeder
that way I can run conduit to inside the building where I plan on putting the panel

Here's the rub. Technically after the first disconnect it's considered a branch feeder to a subpanel and 4/0Al is rated at 180A under NEC 310.15(B)(16). There is argument about this and you should get a ruling from your local AHJ. If that is the case then you need 250Mil Al from the disconnect to the shop. Personally I don't see a problem with the 4/0Al.

 

[kdl243]

I am rural so per the county I live in there are no inspections etc. So the reason for what probably seems like a dumb question is I want the right stuff, not just something that will work.
The electric work inside the building is easy, have never messed with the feeders so figured I would do the trench/conduit run the wire and then have an electrician do the hook ups at the meter and disconnect. The disconnect is a requirement per the power company

 

[mike93lx]

I am rural so per the county I live in there are no inspections etc. So the reason for what probably seems like a dumb question is I want the right stuff, not just something that will work.
The electric work inside the building is easy, have never messed with the feeders so figured I would do the trench/conduit run the wire and then have an electrician do the hook ups at the meter and disconnect. The disconnect is a requirement per the power company

250mcm is minimally more expensive than 4/0. On a 50' run, the total upgrade will be about 80 bucks. I'd pull the heavier wire and put any question about it to bed

 

[Norcal]

If the load is calculated at 180A or less it is code compliant to use a 200A breaker with 4/0 AL.

 

[kevink1955]

It's strange that the feeder to the sub panel needs to be larger than the service conductors but thats the code.

I have a generator transfer switch and emergency sub panel and I was required to upsize the transfer switch and sub by 2 sizes. It looks strange, small service conductors on the main breaker and larger conductors leaving the main panel heading for the transfer switch

 

[pattenp]

If the load is calculated at 180A or less it is code compliant to use a 200A breaker with 4/0 AL.

Yep.. non standard size breaker rule. There isn't a 180A breaker.

 

[kdl243]

Looks like I have to call the power company as their underground feed to the meter is only 1/0 aluminum (hard to believe since the home was built in 2016). So looks like they will have to pull new wire before I can get the other stuff going.

 

[mike93lx]

Looks like I have to call the power company as their underground feed to the meter is only 1/0 aluminum (hard to believe since the home was built in 2016). So looks like they will have to pull new wire before I can get the other stuff going.

They have their own rules. You can bring it up, but they likely won't change it. Only chance they will is if you can prove your load.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Looks like I have to call the power company as their underground feed to the meter is only 1/0 aluminum (hard to believe since the home was built in 2016). So looks like they will have to pull new wire before I can get the other stuff going.

I would have a load calc in hand before claling them. They most likely wont upsize the wire unless you have a load calc that shows its need.

Keep in mind, the PoCo is not bound to the ampacity limits in the NEC...